Summer just got extended for students in Chippewa Hills. The school district announced on Wednesday they’re pushing back the first day of school from August 25 to August 30.
The school district cites two factors that played into their decision, including a part for their brand new Barryton Elementary School.
“We had a part that needed to come in for our fire system,” said Superintendent Dr. Bob Grover. “Until we get that part in, the fire inspection with the electrical inspection couldn’t occur, which doesn’t give us occupancy.”
Dr. Grover says the recent power outages played a factor in the delay, as well.
“Mecosta school was out for 2 1/2 days and that’s the hub of our internet,” he said. “That impacted the ability to do some scheduling and other things.”
To have all Chippewa Hills schools start on different days, that would have been difficult to manage.
“According to Chippewa County, you have to have 75% of your students in attendance,” said Dr. Grover. “We could say everybody comes back to school, except for Barryton, and then if we don’t meet that 75% threshold, it doesn’t count for everybody else who came. We don’t want that scenario.”
While the first day of school is being pushed back, that means families in the district have to rearrange their own schedules.
Kim Parks has three children in the school district, and already had their first week back planned out.
“Our plan was on the 24th get them ready, prepared for school, then I start work on the 25th,” she said. “Now, we have to figure out how’s it going to go.”
This delay also pushes back summer vacation three days as well. School will then get out on June 2.
“Originally when school was supposed to get out at the end of May, we were supposed to vacation about the 3rd of June,” said Parks. “Now it looks like we’re going to be pushing that back more than we wanted to.”
Though it may be an inconvenience for some, it’s affecting people in different ways.
“It really doesn’t affect the parents, it affects the students, and it affects the teachers and the teaching staff, as well,” said Parks. “It’s how it’s going to play out. It is what it is.”
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