Yakima staff to consult YEA on calendar change that would eliminate Wednesday early releases
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Summary
District staff presented a plan to remove early‑release Wednesdays and consolidate collaboration into expanded Monday sessions; the board directed staff to discuss the proposal with the Yakima Education Association and, if agreed, return a joint proposal at the next meeting.
At the Feb. 2 meeting, district leaders presented a proposed modification to the Yakima School District instructional calendar that would eliminate early‑release Wednesdays and move collaborative professional learning time into expanded Monday sessions to increase schedule predictability for families.
Dr. Lucero described the goals: "create a more predictable schedule for families and students and to leverage the opportunity to strengthen staff collaboration and professional learning through expanded focus time on Monday," she told the board. Staff said the proposal is intended to improve continuity of learning while staying within state instructional‑time requirements.
District staff explained the practical changes under consideration: no early‑release Wednesdays and two Mondays per year (weeks with fewer than four instructional days such as the last week of school and the two days before Thanksgiving) that would also not be early release in order to meet instructional‑minute requirements. Staff emphasized the proposed calendar continues to meet BEA instructional‑time requirements and alters only about five and a quarter hours in the yearly total.
Board members indicated general openness to pursuing the idea but asked staff to consult with the Yakima Education Association (YEA). Superintendent Christine Larson and staff said they would engage YEA and, if YEA agrees, bring a joint, finalized proposal to the board after Feb. 17; any implementation would be contingent on board approval.
Board members raised operational questions, including monitoring teacher participation on Mondays and ensuring the change does not inadvertently reduce reading growth. Staff said teacher attendance is tracked and that the district would monitor outcomes and could revisit ratios if necessary.
The board did not vote on a calendar change at the meeting; instead members asked staff to pursue bargaining/consultation with YEA and return a joint proposal for board consideration.