MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Citing staffing issues, Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy proposed five ‘early release days’ for the district at Monday night’s meeting of the Berkeley County Board of Education at Spring Mills High School.
Murphy explained the reasons behind the early release days in a message to parents, saying service and professional staff are being asked to take on additional responsibilities or assignments that result from unfilled daily job vacancies.
The hours without students in the building will allow staff time to complete ” important behind-the-scenes work that ultimately supports students across the district.”
To that end, Murphy asked for five Wednesdays–
Wednesday, October 27th
Wednesday, November 3rd
Wednesday, November 17
Wednesday, December 1st
Wednesday, December 15th
The board passed those dates for early release on a 4-1 vote
Neighboring Jefferson County has begun dismissing students early every Friday, citing similar concerns.