Another Snow Day Would Cost Vernon Students Another Vacation Day

As Vernon students were being let out of school on Wednesday, the threat of another snow day loomed as a weather system approached the area.  

More snow forecast for the region could translate into another adjustment to the school calendar.

The National Weather Service is calling for rain showers before 8 tonight, but then snow and strong winds through Thursday night.

According to the state's Homeland Security office, total accumulations during the next two days are expected to be tied to elevation, with higher amounts above 500 feet and less accumulation on roads in valley locations and along the coast.  In general, accumulations are currently forecast to range from 3-to-6 inches across most of the state away from the coast. Snowfall may reach 10 inches in the highest elevations of the Northwest and Northeast Hills.

Homeland Security said forecast confidence with the storm is “still only fair at this time.”

Even a “slight change of one or two degrees could have a significant impact on snowfall amounts,” the Homeland Security alert said.

March storms always lead to crunch time decisions by school system officials. Rockville High School and Vernon Center Middle School lost a day to the April vacation after the blizzard last month.  

The approved Board of Education calendar stipulates that any makeup days beyond eight will begin with April 19, working backward.

The elementary schools are at seven weather days. Another snow day would scratch off April 19 for younger students and their vacations and force a second day - April 18 - to be taken away from those in high school and middle school.