Alachua school board tables year-round Rollins/Rawlings calendar after parent, teacher concerns

The School Board of Alachua County on Feb. 18 tabled action on the 2025–26 year-round calendar for Rawlings (the school identified in presentations) after parents and board members raised concerns about enrollment declines, family notice and staff feedback.

Superintendent staff recommended approval of the year-round calendar; Dr. McNeely moved to approve and Ms. Surdin seconded. The calendar drew extended discussion from board members and parents before the board voted to table. "I would like to table this until the next meeting until we get an answer of whether we can withdraw from this four‑year pilot," Board Member Mr. Vu said, and his motion to table — seconded by Dr. McNeely — passed 4–0.

Parents and some board members said the district did not adequately notify families before implementing the year-round schedule. At a community meeting, Ms. Surdin and others reported that Rawlings lost about 108 students year over year, a decline the presenter characterized as "over 25% of the student population of Rawlings." A parent who said many families and some staff are affected asked the board to discontinue year‑round schooling so families could be with their children on common days off.

Board members asked staff for specific data to return at the March 11 meeting, including: how many students who left Rawlings transferred to another district school versus left traditional public schools entirely; attendance data comparing days when 10‑month schools were closed with attendance at year‑round schools; and PM (progress-monitoring) assessment results (PM‑1 vs PM‑2) to track short‑term academic impacts. Ms. Rolle, who presented the calendar on behalf of staff, said the district had committed to the state program and believed the commitment extended another three years but said she would confirm the exact term with the state.

Board members also requested a parent survey and clearer documentation of the state approval and any withdrawal penalties. "I would plead with this board before we make any drastic steps that we do look at the data," Dr. McNeely said. Several speakers urged that staff gather attendance and transfer data and report back before the board makes a final decision.

Why it matters: The year‑round calendar was presented as an instructional and family‑service model intended as an intervention. Parents and teachers said implementation and outreach were insufficient and that the schedule change prompted significant enrollment shifts and absenteeism concerns; the board moved to delay final action pending additional data.

Action taken: The board voted 4–0 to table the item to the March 11 meeting and asked staff to provide specified enrollment, attendance and transfer data and to conduct parent outreach.