Williamsville Schools
Below-average attendance expected
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Student attendance days were scheduled for the last three days of Williamsville Central School District's spring break (April 6-13), and attendance was lowest at the high school level.

Superintendent Howard S. Smith said the average for the three days were as follows: elementary schools, 85 percent; middle schools, 80 percent; and high schools, 67 percent.

The average attendance range for the district is 92 to 96 percent.

Parents were informed in October that two days would be taken from spring break because the district closed for seven days following the Oct. 12, 2006 storm. Then in February, the district used another snow day, forcing the schools to open on April 11.

"It is less than average, but the lower attendance was anticipated," Smith said.

Students who missed the scheduled days can request the work missed and are required to make it up.

Amherst Central and Sweet Home School districts, which were closed six days and eight days, respectively, in October, did not use any spring break days to make up the difference.

According to state law, student attendance days must total a minimum of 180.

Smith said that the change in schedule went smoothly, and the administration and staff were a great help in opening the district and informing parents of the change.