State High will adjust its bell schedule beginning on March 30, school administration announced today. Through the end of the school year on June 5, the high school’s instructional day will run from 8:40 a.m. until 3:45 p.m., an addition of five minutes. 

The decision was made by a committee of school and district officials after SCASD experienced a “unique” four snow days, prompting a need for additional instructional time to meet state requirements.

Associate Principal Brett Wilson rationalized the decision by referencing goals of keeping the graduation date and the last day of school on June 5, as well as the surprise of having a snow day on March 17.

“It’s a unique issue to have to deal with. I appreciate not just throwing a day on again because people made plans, and we have those hard deadlines, like I said before, of graduation,” Wilson said. “Is it ideal? No. Is it better than adding a day on? I think so.”

Afternoon buses will now depart at 3:55; they previously left at 3:50.

Additionally, the change will be district-wide, and middle and elementary school leaders are still finalizing their updated schedules

The extended high school bell schedule, effective March 30, can be found here.