Board approves MOU with educators on elementary calendar changes; district to communicate schedule in May

The Sylvania Schools Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Savannah Educators Association covering a calendar change that affects elementary start-of-year practices and open-house scheduling for the 2025–26 school year.

Administrators said the MOU aims to tighten open-house scheduling and staggered start procedures for elementary schools so families and teachers have more time to interact. The change also addresses contractual concerns: the superintendent said elementary teachers are not contractually required to attend open house because event time falls outside the regular 7-hour-35-minute school day, and the MOU formalizes expectations to improve family-teacher interaction.

Administrators also discussed state requirements for minimum instructional hours, telling the board that state requirements are 910 hours for grades K–6 and 1,001 hours for grades 7–12 (the superintendent corrected and clarified grade ranges during discussion). District staff said elementary principals will meet with teaching-and-learning staff on May 6 during teacher collaboration time and the district plans to communicate the calendar changes to affected families (grades K–6) by mid-May.

Board members approved the MOU on a roll call and described the change as a “win-win” for families and teachers. The superintendent and administrators emphasized the change is intended to increase meaningful family interaction at the start of the year and to address scheduling and contractual clarity.