Williston's New Public School District #8 is having two of its missed school days due to adverse weather waived by the state, but is making up a third day by extending the overall school day for 30 minutes over an 11-day period.

Superintendent Greg McNary told the district's school board during is regular monthly meeting Tuesday morning the district received the waiver for two days from Gov. John Hoeven after the Department of Public Instruction recommended that for missing school on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12. The district is making up the missed day on Feb. 10 by extending the school day by 15 minutes in the morning and the afternoon for the 11 days.

Meanwhile, the board approved the school calendar for the 2009-2010 school year, which deviates by two days from the calendar for the Williston Public School District #1. The variations come in that District 8 is to be in school on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, when District 1 is in an inservice.

The second variation is District 8 ends its school year on Thursday, May 27, while District 1 ends on Friday, May 28. District 8 is holding a teacher inservice on May 28 instead. Otherwise, the first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 26.

In two staffing matters, the board heard that McNary received a satisfactory evaluation from the board, and the board also approved making interim business manager Lisa Heinrich permanent in the position. In reviewing the results of McNary's evaluation, board President Dr. Ed Maisey said the superintendent received a satisfactory rating in every category reviewed. Maisey thanked McNary for "what I feel is your loyalty and commitment to our district."

McNary later recommended that Heinrich permanently fill the business manager position.

Heinrich is the former school board vice president who filled the position after Thomas Firemoon resigned from the position after about 11 months.

"I think she has brought stability to the position; she's worked very diligently at it," McNary said in recommending the move for Heinrich.

In his report to the board, McNary said student numbers are up at the district's Garden Valley Elementary School, so he is considering running a combined seventh and eighth grade class next school year.

"That will save us $40,000 or more for a staff member," McNary said.

"How we figure that combined class I'm not quite sure yet," he added.

He intends to meet with school staff to further discuss the matter.

McNary also is looking into the possibility of acquiring a relocatable structure for Garden Valley for a science lab and an art area.

"Right now we go into the lunch room if we're going to paint," he said of art class activities that require an area without carpeting.