School officials say the additional days will help them identify students' weaknesses and plan ways to address them. They also say the extra class time can help raise test scores, including those on the state's Standards of Learning exams. But many students say the early start is a waste of time and penalizes those who already have good grades and high test scores. It's uncertain how widespread the student protest may be, but rumors of one also have been flying among the more than 2,400 students at Ocean Lakes High. A walk-out would coincide with a teacher protest.
Teachers say they're also protesting because they're tired of being left out of key decisions.
Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney doesn't think much will come of the student protests, but he isn't ignoring the matter. He has asked principals to defuse the situation with students, parents and teachers by discussing possible repercussions. He said he respects and encourages freedom of speech, but a student walk-out is inappropriate. Under school policy, students can be suspended for participating. Adam Greiber doesn't see the extra days as a big deal, especially if teachers don't have to spend as much time reviewing what students should have learned the year before.