Weldon board approves revised 2024–25 calendar over teacher objections

The Weldon City Schools Board of Education voted 4–2 on Feb. 27 to revise the 2024–25 school calendar, converting March 4 and March 14 into student days and changing April 25 from an annual leave day to an optional teacher work day.

Board Chairwoman (speaker 1) called the question after several members questioned the impact on staff schedules and grading deadlines. Miss Hale (speaker 3) objected to converting March 14, saying it falls at the end of a grading period and that teachers “will need some time… to get grades” and related work done. Dr. Shotwell (speaker 2) explained the recommendation was driven by the district’s use of remote learning days and the need to make instructional‑hour requirements whole; he outlined options for 10‑, 11‑ and 12‑month employees to bank or make up time so staff would not lose pay.

The board debated whether the change would force some classified and support staff (custodial, cafeteria) to do make‑up time and whether that work could be assigned or scheduled flexibly. Dr. Shotwell described a plan to designate specific make‑up days at the end of the year and to allow staff to make up hours weekly at time‑and‑a‑half where applicable.

After discussion a motion to approve the calendar revisions was seconded and carried. The chair announced the tally as four yes votes and two no votes. The board did not list all individual roll‑call votes in the meeting minutes delivered on the video record.

The calendar change will be reflected in district calendars and staff will be notified once the board’s decision is posted. The board also noted it will address calendar policy in a future work session to create written guidance for handling weather‑related closures and remote‑learning day adjustments.