Parkland School District Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported the 2017-18 district calendar had to be adjusted to provide make-up days for school time lost since Feb. 20.

Although the first five snow days were built into the calendar, Sniscak said during the March 20 meeting, the day lost for the bus garage fire and storms since then required the district to make changes to the spring vacation.

In order to have the state required 180 days for students, Thursday and Monday of spring break become class time, and Friday, June 15 was added to the school term.

If more make-up days are necessary, school would have to extend into the week of June 18.

“We are working with staff and students and their commitments,” Sniscak said.

In another matter, the board considered an opportunity for a bond refunding.

Scott Shearer, managing director of PFM Financial Advisors, explained the measure.

“It’s like redoing a mortgage,” Shearer said. “It’s a traditional refunding from a higher rate to a lower rate.

“We can have net savings of about $325,000. We’ll give the district some good relief.”

Ken Phillips, managing director of RBC Capital Markets, reported the 2013 bond under consideration can be lowered from a 3.74-percent interest rate down to 3 percent.

Business Manager John Vignone explained district representatives will work with the financial team to move when the market is most advantageous.

In another agenda item, Sniscak called upon a team who organized an effort to earn funds to send to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which experienced a tragic shooting last month.

Teacher Jennifer Young, senior class advisor, was present with Collin Duff, grade 12, and Kyleigh Duff, grade 9, who sold about 6,000 bracelets at $2 each in an effort called Parkland for Parkland.

Collin Duff, whose cousin attends the Florida school, commented.

“We’re not really sure where it will be used,” he said. We’re in touch with their principal to find out what they need most right now.”

Sniscak provided his thoughts.

“We get to recognize students who went beyond the call of duty,” he said.

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See related story, photos page A10.