SUTTON, W.Va. — The new Braxton County school year began Tuesday less than two months after the the last one ended.
Braxton County School Superintendent David Dilly said a difficult winter pushed last year’s calender to the second week of June before the year was over. He said residents voted to start the new year earlier to give plenty of time for snow days.
“The public actually outbid our teachers this year,” Dilly said. “I think it was a direct result of the weather we had. They voted to start (Tuesday) and here we are.”
Braxton and Wayne counties both started Tuesday, earlier than any of the 55 counties. Cabell County schools open Wednesday. Beginning this school year, school districts in West Virginia are required to complete 180 instructional days even if it takes until June 30 to get them in.
Superintendent Dilly said starting early allows his county to get the first semester completed before Christmas break and the calendar provides a full-week off at Thanksgiving and for Spring Break.
Dilly said the biggest obstacle about starting less than two months after the last day of school was the maintenance projects.
“We kind of looked at our schedule and made sure we got the big items taken care of first. Some of the little items may have to wait until (Thanksgiving or Christmas break).”
There are eight schools in Braxton County and all are air-conditioned.