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Beach School Board member wants make up days to be group decision in the future

Posted at 7:28 PM, Feb 19, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-19 19:28:21-05

Virginia Beach, Va. - Saturday snow day make-ups are still on in Virginia Beach. It’s a decision that interim superintendent Dr. Sheila Magula made on her own and created outrage in the community.

But what about next year? Will the next superintendent face the same decision if the snow days pile up again?

At the school board meeting last night, board member Dottie Holtz said she wants to make it a group decision.

“We owe it to our community to assume our proper roles and not to neglect our responsibilities by handing them off,” says Holtz. “It was a mistake and we need to correct it. It is within our power to do so. We have that right.”

But for this year, Dr. Magula is the one making the call and says she didn't consult teachers or parents.

“I received emails form teachers who were home saying don`t add minutes to the day, others are saying do add minutes to the day. Then others are saying don`t take spring break. I`ve got these plans, Memorial Day for the military.”

She instead discussed it with a group of school administrators that includes principals.

“Everyone was trying to do the calculations,” she said.

NewsChannel 3 reached out to every member of the school board to ask if they would change it so they have to approve make-up days in the future.

No one from the school board wanted to talk to us.

So this year, Dr. Magula stands behind her decision and it remains unclear who the decision will be up to next year.

Related: 

Virginia Beach School Board meeting to discuss Saturday school makeup days

Numbers show 78% of students attended Saturday make up day at Virginia Beach schools

Beach superintendent finally answers questions about Saturday school decision