Back to school one day early

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)- As if it isn't hard enough to go back to school after winter break, some students were back in class a day early Monday, making up time missed during Hurricane Irene.

Administrators in Pitt and Beaufort Counties were expecting low school attendance over the holidays.  But it's one problem that doesn't compare to what they're facing next year.

From kindergarten to high school, the parents didn't mind sending their kids back a day early.

"I think he just didn't want to go back to school today,” said Amanda Hennasey, Eastern Elementary parent.

"Two weeks of vacation, the parents are ready to get the kids back in school anyway,” said David McIver, Eastern Elementary parent.

But when make-up days cut into their Christmas break, students had the final say.  Nearly 18% of Beaufort County students skipped class on Dec. 21st.

"We can't create more time so we had to work with what we had on the calendar,” said Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps.

He says make-up days like this will be near impossible next year.  "Next year is even more challenging,” he said.  “It's not just a puzzle.  It's an enigma for us to figure out how to do what we're required to do by state law."

A new state law requires school districts to fit five extra school days into the existing school year calendar of August 25th to June 10th.

This year, Beaufort County waived all five days.  Pitt County Schools waived only four.  When Pitt County Schools delayed Christmas break to squeeze in that extra state-required school day, 18% of students didn't show up.

"I actually went to visit family in Wilson so I wasn't here,” said Mary Slade Duke, J.H. Rose HS Sophomore.

"I did not attend that,” said Jordan Frazier, J.H. Rose HS Junior.  “I was on a ski trip."

Administrators say cutting class could do major damage in the long run. Missing eight days in Beaufort County could keep students from walking at graduation.

"Attendance in school is probably the strongest factor in terms of school success,” said Phipps.

Still, students say if the extra days cut into Christmas break next year-they'll likely skip again.

"I mean, I feel like it's not gonna change anything,” said Duke.  “I mean it's just gonna make more people kind of mad."

Because the General Assembly gave school districts such short notice about the new law this year, districts were able to waive most if not all of the state-mandated extra school days.  Administrators do not expect the State Board of Education to grant any waivers next year and they’ll have to include all five additional days of instruction in their calendar.