In a recent government meeting, educators presented updates on international travel programs and the proposed academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, sparking discussions on student experiences and scheduling concerns.

Missy Even highlighted the success of recent travel tours, which included 78 students visiting Barcelona and Paris. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with hosts in Paris expressing a desire for continued collaboration due to the exemplary behavior of the students. The upcoming travel proposals include a 17-day tour of Europe and a trip to Peru, aimed at enhancing cultural understanding and language skills among high school students. Fundraising efforts will be implemented to assist families with the costs associated with these trips.

The meeting also addressed the draft of the academic calendar, which has been revised to reduce the number of half days from nine to four. Concerns were raised by board members regarding the impact of these half days on parents and teachers, particularly in relation to state testing schedules. The administration assured that feedback from the community would be solicited before finalizing the calendar, with a timeline set for responses to be collected over the next month.

Discussions included the potential for a four-day school week, although current state regulations do not permit such a change. Board members expressed the importance of maintaining consistency with neighboring districts to accommodate families and staff who may work across multiple schools. The board plans to gather community input on the proposed calendar and any future considerations for scheduling adjustments.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commitment to enhancing student experiences through travel and ensuring that academic scheduling aligns with community needs and educational standards.