The St. Mary’s County Public Schools have already blown their five built-in snow days. They have also blown an optional snow day (May 2) that was supposed to be a Professional Day with school out. School will now be in on May 2. That makes six days. Today’s (Wednesday) snow day makes seven this year and January is not even over.

How are the schools going to make up today and any other snow days this winter? St. Mary’s County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano said yesterday before the snow started flying that the final decision is still to be determined.

Maryland schools are required by law to be in session for 180 days. Dr. Martirano told the school board last night that one option is to ask for a waiver of that requirement because of the unusual nature on this year’s winter weather.

Another option is to use the days of the spring break holiday:  April 14-17. He says that is not a preferred option because many families have scheduled vacations during that time.

That leaves the dreaded option: tacking on school days at the end of the planned June 12 final day.

Whatever option is chosen, Dr. Martirano said the decisions for the remainder of the winter will be based on the safety of the students and staff, and not the impact on the school calendar.

The school board on Wednesday approved a tentative school calendar for the next school year that will go to public hearing next month. The proposal, according to Director of Student Services Dr. Charles Ridgell, III, keeps the schedule pretty much in tack but does shift the emphasis on some professional days.

But the discussion also raised the issue being considered by the Maryland General Assembly to keep schools closed until after Labor Day. The idea is supported by Comptroller Peter Franchot as a method of stimulating the economy.

The eight-days-later later opening is opposed by the superintendent and the Maryland Department of Education. The problem, according to Martirano, is that the later opening would lead to a later closing, pushing it towards the end of June. He supports giving school systems their current local option of which 180 days to meet the state requirement.

St. Mary’s schools traditionally open on a Wednesday while other systems have different opening days.