School Board Approves 2023-2025 Academic Calendars with Key Date Adjustments

The Manassas Park City Schools Board convened on January 23, 2023, to discuss and approve the academic calendars for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. The meeting began with a presentation by Mr. Neff, who outlined significant changes to the proposed calendars based on feedback from teachers and stakeholders.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the start date for new teachers has been adjusted from August 3 to August 7, while returning teachers will now report on August 11, which will be a virtual compliance training day. Parent-teacher conferences have been rescheduled from October 9 to November 1, allowing for a professional development day on October 9 instead. Additionally, an early release day has been added on October 27 to help staff prepare for the conferences.

The calendar also includes an early release day on December 20 before winter break and a professional day on April 1 for teachers to finalize grades for the third quarter. The last day of school has shifted from June 6 to June 7, with the final teacher workday now set for June 10.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 school year, new teachers will report on August 5, and returning teachers on August 9, with similar adjustments to the parent-teacher conference schedule and early release days. The last day of school remains June 6, with the teacher workday unchanged.

Board members expressed appreciation for the efforts made to incorporate community feedback into the calendar planning. However, some voiced concerns about the lack of a two-week winter break, a sentiment echoed by several stakeholders. The board acknowledged the challenges of balancing various needs while adhering to state regulations regarding the school calendar.

The board unanimously approved both academic calendars, with a motion and second from board members. Upcoming meetings were also announced, including a budget work session on February 6 and a public meeting on February 27 to discuss the fiscal year 2023 revised budget and the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to addressing community concerns while navigating the complexities of school calendar planning. The approved calendars reflect a balance of professional development opportunities for teachers and the educational needs of students.