Are Final Days of the School Year Just Waste of Time?

The Muskego-Norway School Board approved the calendar for the 2012-13 school year Monday at, with no changes being made to what was presented.

The last day of school will be Thursday, June 13, but board member Eric Schroeder asked whether two additional days could be taken off the calendar in order to shorten the final week.

"It seems like the last four days of school aren't spent in meaningful instruction. There's loose ends being tied up, kids are cleaning desks, and I wonder if we can't cut that down so it doesn't seem like we're wasting days," Schroeder said.

Schroeder suggested adding class days around conference times twice a year to make up for the earlier release date. Kelly Thompson, assistant superintendent, said the additional day off is a "recouping" day for teachers, as they are at school for conferences 12 to 14 hours. But Thompson said it would be possible to make the change.

"I think once you get down to 'counting' days like most kids do, it's human nature that it's going to be hard to maintain attention," added member Dean Strom.

Others said that the trend remained for a release day in mid-June rather than earlier because of the expected "learning lag" that occurs in the summer break. "There's a movement that suggests to lengthen the school year as well," Thompson said.

Thompson also pointed to parent surveys that gave the calendar a positive review. The board debated the issue briefly, with the ultimate decision to keep the calendar as is, but to take the concerns forward for the following school year.