The school committee voted in a virtual meeting on April 6 for Dartmouth schools to forgo the scheduled April vacation — a decision which would push the school’s release date forward four days to June 15.

Committee members went back and forth on the issue, ultimately passing the measure in a narrow 3-2 vote.

The majority said that forgoing the vacation would allow students to continue building momentum in online learning, and aligned with the results of a survey in which 74 percent of school staff were in favor of forgoing the vacation and letting out of school four days earlier.

The vacation days had been scheduled for April 21–24. Schools will remain closed for Good Friday and Patriots’ Day.

Committee members John Nunes and Chris Oliver noted that even if the vacation went ahead, there would not be much for students to do

“No one is going anywhere on vacation anyways,” Nunes said. “Nothing’s open.”

Committee member Carol Karafotis voted for the measure, saying that she liked the idea but also wanted to consider extending the school year so students could get settled back in their classrooms before summer vacation.

Committee member Shannon Jenkins, who voted against the measure, wanted to give students the time off so that their parents — many of whom have had to monitor their child’s education while working from home — a break. She also noted that four extra days in June would likely mean real classroom time rather than supplementary online learning.

Officials again held off on the potentially thorny issue of a $780,000 shortfall in next year’s budget proposal, which is expected to add up to around $45.5 million in total.

“We’re in a bad place with the budget—pandemic or not,” committee chair Kathleen Amaral said.

Instead, they discussed the price of parking fees for high school students. While there were philosophical disagreements about the $60 fee students have to pay each year to park at school, it is with the understanding that those students are the only ones with cars and can use the bus for free.

“We are in no shape to be looking at reducing fees when we’re dealing with the type of budget we are,” Oliver said.

As for graduation, Superintendent Bonny Gifford stated that the schools will likely prefer to hold a real celebration to a virtual one, even if the ceremony has to be delayed, but is still waiting on what Governor Charlie Baker will declare.

“[Seniors] don’t want to do things virtually,” Gifford said. “Who wants a virtual prom or virtual graduation?”

The next online School Committee meeting will be held April 27.