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Superintendent to apply for 1003 waiver to reduce student days to 177 for additional professional development
Summary
The board authorized the superintendent to apply for an Indiana Department of Education 1003 waiver to reduce student days from 180 to 177 so teachers can receive additional professional development; administration clarified the waiver does not reduce total teacher workdays or drop state-minimum minutes.
Superintendent Dustin Goering asked the board for permission to apply for a 1003 waiver from the Indiana Department of Education to permit a 177‑day student calendar in future years in order to provide additional professional-development days for staff. He explained that even with 177 student days the district would remain above the state minimum number of instructional minutes at every grade level because daily minutes exceed the state floor.
Board members asked how the waiver differs from existing early-release days. Goering said existing early releases focus on team-level data and building operations while the waiver-supported professional-development days would allow longer, deeper professional learning opportunities districtwide. He also clarified that teacher work calendars would not be reduced and that the waiver request is to change student days only. The board approved the superintendent’s request to apply for the waiver; further DOE approval will be required.
Staff explained the waiver application is procedural: the board authorizes the district to submit the request, and the state will accept or deny it based on statutory criteria and supporting rationale.
