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Seaman USD 345 board approves weekly instructional collaboration time amid childcare concerns
Summary
After extended debate, the Seaman USD 345 School Board approved a plan to implement weekly instructional collaboration time (Wednesdays) for staff to collaborate and receive professional learning; board members asked administration to gather parent demand data and coordinate with Boys & Girls Club partners for childcare coverage.
Seaman USD 345 School Board members voted to approve a weekly instructional collaboration schedule that will set aside Wednesday mornings for teacher collaboration and grade‑level professional learning. The proposal, presented by Megan from curriculum and instruction, is intended to provide focused time with no students in the building so teachers, paras and specials staff can work together on curriculum, assessments and instruction.
Board members debated whether the schedule change would impose hardships on families and whether sufficient childcare capacity exists. Megan told the board she has a verbal agreement with the Boys & Girls Club to provide Wednesday coverage at elementary sites and said administrators will collect firm parent numbers before full implementation to refine arrangements. Board members repeatedly asked for clearer data on how many families would need care and for more detail about Boys & Girls Club staffing and logistics.
Supporters said the dedicated collaboration time would strengthen instruction and student outcomes by ensuring consistent planning, including participation by paras and specials staff who historically have not had protected collaboration time. Several trustees said they were persuaded by that rationale and moved to approve the recommendation. Opponents and hesitant members expressed concern about the burden on families who cannot adjust schedules, and asked administration to pursue transport or coverage options and to monitor effects on attendance and extracurricular scheduling.
The motion was moved by Keith (mover) and seconded by Michelle; the board took a roll call and the chair announced the motion passed. The approved motion directs administration to coordinate with community partners, gather parent demand data, and return with any needed operational details as the district implements the schedule.
The board’s action was procedural in that it sets the weekly schedule change; additional operational decisions (transport, Boys & Girls Club contracts, final staffing and parent sign‑ups) remain the responsibility of administration and will be reported back to the board.
