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Board approves calendar change to support elementary consolidation; one board member objects
Summary
To help staff pack and relocate classrooms for consolidation from four elementary schools to three, the board approved changing the elementary last day to May 14 (canceling a previously scheduled half-day on May 15); members raised childcare and parent-notice concerns before the motion carried.
The McPherson USD 418 Board voted to adjust the elementary calendar to make May 14 the final student day and convert the previously scheduled half day on May 15 into a full staff workday to allow teachers and staff extra time to box and prepare classrooms for the district’s consolidation plan.
District leaders told the board elementary principals requested the change to provide on-site, contracted staff time for packing and moving preparations tied to the transition of some programs and facilities. "That will allow them to number one, it will allow the 14th to still pack up and be prepared. And the 15th, then the teachers themselves ... will have an opportunity to spend an extra 3 and 1/2 hours focusing on that and not having to worry about kids," the superintendent said.
Board members expressed concerns about parent-childcare disruption and noted that some families schedule child care around half-day release. One board member requested clearer parent outreach; administration said principals are meeting this week to finalize communications and logistics and that classified staff hours and contract rules had been considered.
After discussion the board approved the calendar adjustment. The transcript records the motion as carrying 'Carry 61' and the chair announced the motion carried. Staff said they would communicate the change to families through multiple channels and continue coordination among principals, facilities and transportation teams.
