Martirano says students will be working until 180th school day

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Summer break in some schools across West Virginia started this past week, but others won’t be getting out until mid June due to state law that requires students to be in school for 180 instructional days.

Michael Martirano, the state school superintendent, said students and teachers will be working until their very last day.

“We have to maximize the instructional time, so making certain kids are in school every day, that we’re maximizing the time on task is extremely important to the well being and the education of our young people,” he said.

Martirano said he’s been pleased with the way teachers have been preparing students and the way kids have been engaged in learning, even this late in the year.

Currently, superintendents across the state are building schedules for next year to allow a maximized schedule to anticipate inclement weather. Martirano said they want to try to reduce those days at the end of the year as well.

“This is a relatively new process for West Virginia in the sense that the state law is 180 days and making certain that we’re holding to that,” said Martirano, “The superintendents, the following year, will maximize those by making the adjustments needed.”

According to the West Virginia Board of Education’s calendar, Roane County is the last to finish their 180 days on June 17. Wayne County was the first to start their summer break Thursday. Cabell and Braxton were also among the first counties this month to end their school year Friday.

The counties who will be in school the latest include: Boone, Jackson, Lincoln, Logan and Wyoming.