Add 30 Minutes to Each School Day - Starting April 16th

The East Providence School Committee approved Superintendent Kim Mercer's proposal last month to make up six school days lost to snow cancellations. The plan will allow schools to close on June 24th instead of the projected date of June 30th. "I have also heard back from the Department of Education and they will allow us to make-up four of the days by increasing the school day 30 minutes," said Mercer. The teacher's association voted approval of the new school day which will add 30 minutes to each day of school, starting on April 16th. "We will add 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in afternoon. Right now it looks like the last day of school will be June 24 and the increase of 30 minutes for the day will begin on April 16th," Mercer said. "Our schools are very uncomfortable in late June and this is a better way to make up the missed school time," Mercer said. "Have athletics and busing and everyone had some input here? Some schools will be ending the day very late now," asked Ward 4 school board member Jessica Beauchaine. "Yes, they're all on board," answered the Superintendent. The proposal was approved unanimously by the committee.