Board discusses school-calendar changes after state limits on distance-learning days
Summary
Administrators briefed the board on state limits to distance-learning days and shared staff-survey results (90% value those days; 70% cite professional development benefit); the district aims to propose a revised 2026–27 calendar by January.
The board heard an extended briefing about calendar planning after state legislative changes limit the district’s prior use of distance-learning days. Assistant superintendent Bowser presented survey results and possible approaches the district is exploring.
Bowser summarized the staff survey: 90% of respondents said distance-learning Fridays were of value; 70% cited professional development as a key benefit; 59% said site-level meetings and collaboration were valuable; and 52% cited professional learning communities. Bowser said the district is evaluating alternatives—additional professional-development days, early-release days, or other calendar adjustments—and expects to bring a recommendation by January. "So our hope is to bring you that, I would say by January," Bowser said.
Board members expressed concern about loss of professional development time and whether the state might offer leniency; Bowser said the district had received no notification of leniency and that only emergency days previously approved remain available. The discussion was informational; the board did not take formal action and asked staff to return with recommendations.
