Johnston School Board Discusses Proposed 2013-14 School Calendar

The 2013-14 school calendar is beginning to take shape in the Johnston school district.

The Johnston school board discussed a first draft of the proposed calendar at Monday's meeting.

The proposal sets the first day of school for Thursday, Aug. 15, and the last day of the school year on May 22.

Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said the process to determine the calendar was a bit different this year.

"We felt it was important to start discussion by receiving a little more input than in the past from parents and staff," he said of calendar committee meetings comprised of teachers, staff and parents and surveys conducted.

Guthmiller said there was a widespread consensus to end the first semester before winter break, especially for students in eighth to 12th grade.

The issue of professional development days and time for professional learning communities was presented to the board Monday.

The district asked parents if they would prefer designated late-starts to designated early-outs when it came to collaboration time for teachers.

Tom Mitchell, director of human resources, said from the survey results parents in both elementary and secondary schools supported a one-hour early dismissal.

Of the 1,497 parents who responded, 934 supported early dismissal.

Staff also supported the early dismissal with 225 in favor, while 164 respondents preferred late start.

To make up for instructional time lost, the district asked staff if they would support adding ten minutes to either the beginning or end of the day.

Staff was more receptive to 10 minutes at the beginning of the day with 238 in favor, while 151 said end of the day.

"This gave us some things to chew on and consider," Mitchell said. "We're still working on where that time should be."

The sample calendar does not reflect an early out or late start model, but does work in traditional professional development days.

Mitchell said the calendar has two less professional development days than in years past.

Board member Julie Walter asked why one hour a week for collaboration was better than an entire day.

"We feel it's critical for staff to have time to work together and work on professional development," Mitchell said.

The time each week can be spent addressing needs of students instructionally before they get far behind, he said.

The board will continue to discuss the calendar at the Jan. 14 board meeting.