During the March 8 meeting of the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education, the budget for the 2022-23 academic year was presented and discussed. In all, it is expected to total more than $135.6 million, an estimated annual increase of $256 on the average home in Livingston.Balancing a budget of this size is never easy, and that is especially so given the challenges presented over the last few years. But it is paramount that we continue to invest in our students. Doing so is not only crucial to ensure our children have the brightest possible future, but it is also an investment in our town. Countless parents have said that our outstanding education system is the driving force for their decision to move to or remain in Livingston. Continuing to fund the schools at a level that ensures the district remains a leader in the state is for the betterment of our entire community.Also discussed during the March 8 meeting was the 2023-24 district calendar.Setting a school calendar is a Herculean task, as district officials must weigh many concerns, ranging from planned workshop days to potential unscheduled disruptions. There are also three weeklong breaks that occur in less than four months’ time, in addition to an ever-increasing number of holidays being added to the tally, specifically, religious and cultural ones that affect some, but not all, students.The New Jersey Department of Education requires at least 180 days of instruction per academic year. That figure quickly becomes hard to hit with so many off days.To make up for this time off while still reaching that number, snow days fall by the wayside. In the COVID era, there is also the increasing chance that schools may have to close when too many students or teachers are sick. The issue of whether students could have class remotely on days when weather or illness forces the district to shutter is another topic entirely. For the record, we fully support utilizing remote instruction in these instances.We would never advocate for removing an excused absence for a student because of a religious holiday. However, perhaps, as we work to fit 180 school days into the year, there is room for flexibility. What if, instead, we offer one or two “floating holidays” to students, which would allow them an excused absence only for the ones that they observe? Students could theoretically submit which days they planned to ...
