For students on the East Coast looking to get a few extra vacation days this summer, hurricane Irene may just be the answer.  With power outages, downed wires, flooding and road closures caused by the hurricane, districts stretching hundreds of miles from North Carolina to Vermont are either delaying the start of the new school year or taking a few extra days to get back up to speed.

One of the hardest hit by the storm, several communities in Vermont are stranded.  With many roads and bridges having been completely washed out, isolated towns have prompted an emergency situation for residents there.  The devastation extends throughout the northeast, with over 1000 blocked roads in Connecticut and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands in New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

For administrators, these unplanned days off present a challenge:  should the missed days be made up during the school year, or at the end?

Do you live in a district that was affected by hurricane Irene?  If so, share your experiences with us on the School Announcement blog.