School Board members John Bringhurst and Sarah Holmgrain speaking in the KFSK studio.

Petersburg’s School Board meets tonight and plans to take action on allowing the elementary school to close early this year.

The Stedman elementary school is looking to end the school year a week early in order to allow a renovation project to begin.

School administrators wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Education and Early Development, Mike Hanley, asking for the state’s permission to have May 30 be the last day of school for students. That would be four days earlier than scheduled and one day short of the minimum 170 days of student contact required by state law.

In the district’s letter it states that, according to the contractor, if the renovation can start early the project could be completed in one summer instead of two. Following the new schedule, the building would be ready for staff by August 19, the first day the principal starts the new school year.

The renovation project worth $2.3 million will replace the school’s exterior walls and windows.

Also at their meeting tonight, the school board will consider having a memorial policy, a policy that addresses in-school memorials, services and practices.

The school board meets at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers. KFSK will be broadcasting the meeting live.