Hendry School District explores innovative calendar models for staff wellbeing

Hendry County School District is taking bold steps to enhance the educational experience for both students and staff, as discussed in a recent meeting. The district is exploring innovative calendar models to combat teacher burnout and improve overall morale.

Superintendent Dr. Staley highlighted a pressing issue in public education: a "black cloud" of dissatisfaction leading to high turnover rates among educators. In response, the district is considering a new calendar structure that includes breaks every nine weeks, allowing staff and students time to recharge. This approach aims to create a more positive school culture while maintaining the same amount of instructional time.

The calendar committee, which included district employees and representatives from the teachers' union, has already developed a proposal for the 2025-2026 school year. Although the initial plan did not include these breaks, feedback from staff indicated a strong preference for a schedule that incorporates regular downtime. Dr. Staley emphasized the importance of listening to employee feedback and adapting to their needs.

In addition to the calendar changes, the meeting also addressed minor adjustments to school start and stop times, particularly in the Clueson area, to improve bus scheduling and efficiency. The district has ensured that there are ample makeup days built into the calendar for unforeseen events, such as hurricanes.

As the district moves forward with these changes, it will closely monitor academic performance and gather feedback from staff and families to assess the effectiveness of the new calendar model. The goal is clear: to foster a supportive environment that encourages both teaching excellence and student success.