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After five years, staff recommends returning Arcola Elementary to a traditional school year based on attendance and outcomes
Summary
District staff showed five years of data for Arcola's innovative school year: high chronic absenteeism during the 25 extra instructional days and no clear academic gains; staff recommended returning the school to the traditional calendar and outlined transition and continuity plans for wraparound services.
Doctor Moran presented a data‑driven review of Arcola Elementary's five‑year experience on an innovative school year (ISY) calendar and recommended the board consider returning the school to a traditional calendar. The recommendation was based on attendance patterns, enrollment volatility and limited evidence of improved academic outcomes.
Moran reported that during a recent summer session 296 of 542 students who attended were chronically absent—about 54 percent of the attending population for that session—and that overall enrollment at the start of summer session was 542 and rose to 613 by the last day, with many families enrolling later to align with the traditional school calendar. He cited cohort proficiency data showing limited or declining gains in mathematics and literacy for students who experienced the ISY over multiple years.
Moran also noted Roscoe Nix (a school that reverted to a traditional calendar) saw improved attendance and reduced chronic absenteeism after returning to a traditional calendar. Trustees asked about continuity of wraparound services, Title I funding and staff stipends tied to the ISY. Moran said Title I funds can fund extended learning opportunities (ELO) but cannot pay for the base 25‑day ISY compensation that appears in the district's operating budget; he described an implementation approach used previously when Roscoe Nix transitioned, including prioritizing continued employment for staff and targeted family outreach.
Board members underscored the need for an empathetic, community‑engaged transition plan that protects staff livelihoods and maintains key student services. "When I we first came on the board...we actually did look but it was too soon...Now it's been 5 years," one trustee said, noting the district has yet to see the expected results despite substantial investment.
Why it matters: The calendar decision affects families' summer planning, staff pay and continuity of targeted programs. If the board votes to revert Arcola, the district will need a detailed transition plan to preserve wraparound services and minimize disruption.
Next steps: Staff offered to provide transition planning materials and the comparative cost breakdowns of the ISY versus traditional calendar after further analysis.
