Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Neshaminy School District’s decision to return graduation to June 12 means the district might be facing a loss in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
After the impact caused by Hurricane Sandy in October and early November, the district was forced to push graduation to June 19. The move was made so seniors could complete the 180 instructional days required by state law.
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Parents and students protested the adjusted graduation date and asked the district to move it back to June 12. School Board President Richie Webb said the move was “not an easy decision to reach.”
After considering pre-planned senior week trips, family vacations and the deployment of a soon-to-be graduate’s Marine father, the district decided to move graduation back to its originally scheduled date, Webb said.
The loss of state subsidies to the district could be as high as $20,000, the board president said.
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He added that Neshaminy will be applying for an exemption waiver with the Department of Education and hoped they would be understanding.
Webb said the district was unable to use the spring break to make up the missed school days because of timing.
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“No one could have expected a hurricane,” Webb said with a chuckle.
Despite Neshaminy have a memorandum of understanding with staff unions, Webb said they have agreed in the past to work during the pre-schedule spring break to confirm to the district’s schedule.
Webb said the board and administration would work to avoid scheduling issues in the future.
