Wake Schools Stick With Hurricane Makeup Day

The Wake County Board of Education has decided to maintain the scheduled makeup day for traditional calendar schools from Hurricane Isabel as October 6.

In a special session Friday morning, the Board considered changing the day because of concerns raised by the Jewish community that Oct. 6 is Yom Kippur, a high holy day.

"This calendar was originally developed with input from the community, said Susan Parry, Board Chair. We had members of the Jewish community participate in its development. While we are certainly sensitive to the significance of this observance, we have directed the administration to make accommodations for Jewish students and staff, while maintaining the original calendar."

"The Board decided to take extra time in considering this issue," Parry said. We wanted to be diligent in our responsibilities to have time for reflection and to make the appropriate arrangements with school administrators to allow for Jewish students and staff to celebrate their faith."

Hurricane Isabel closed Wake County Public Schools for two days Sept. 18 and 19 which caused the system to invoke the first two inclement weather days which were set aside. Those days are Oct. 6 and 17.

Each year, the school system sets aside days for inclement weather from hurricanes and snowstorms. System staff and community representatives developed the calendar, which is presented to the Board for approval. This school year's calendar was approved Nov. 5, 2002.