Siren board adopts extended‑day school calendar over objections about meeting times and snow‑day makeup

The Siren School District board voted to adopt an 'extended day' school calendar that adds six minutes to the school day and reduces the number of early‑release days, a change that keeps the district at the state minimum instructional minutes but may increase the need to add make‑up days if there are multiple late starts or early releases.

Board members debated the policy’s effect on scheduling for IEP meetings and extracurricular practices. One board member raised concerns that later release times could make it harder for coaches and staff to attend legally required meetings; other members said six minutes per day would not materially change meeting availability. The motion to adopt the extended‑day calendar, moved by Kelly and seconded by Jamie, passed with five yeses, one no and one abstention.

Administrators noted that virtual full days count as instructional days but that early releases and late starts do not, and they reminded the board that unusually high numbers of early releases could still require adding days at the end of the year. The board did not change the policy on winter‑weather days; staff will monitor effects on meeting scheduling and extracurriculars if this calendar is implemented.