Why a Delay on First Day?

In the East Hampton School District, the 2015-16 school year will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with a two-hour delay for students. That has had parents asking school officials for an explanation, and during the June 2 school board meeting, the district’s superintendent, Richard Burns, addressed their questions.

Due to the late date on which Labor Day falls this year, as well as state and district requirements for professional development for employees, Mr. Burns said the district opted to set up a meeting for staff members in the morning on Sept. 8. Teachers and support staff will report at their regular starting times, but with student arrival on a two-hour delay, Mr. Burns said there will be enough time for a three-hour conference session with the employees.

“It’s a really tight calendar next year. . . . It was a creative way to get in part of that responsibility,” he said. “We collaborated with the East Hampton Teachers Association and the non-instructional unit to come up with that solution.”

Liz Pucci, a school board member, called it “a significant change that’s never been done before, so we wanted to let parents know about the situation.”

“It was not ideal but it was the best of the options,” added Christina DeSanti, the school board vice president.

The state requires school to be in session for at least 180 days. The 2015-16 school year for students is 182 days long, with two snow days built in. In case more than two snow days are used, the school district designated the week of April 25 through 29 for potential makeup days.