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Board approves calendar revisions and to seek Flexible Instruction Day approval, mindful of Eid timing
Summary
The board voted 9–0 to revise the school calendars to account for snow days and a primary‑election date change while consulting community representation to avoid disrupting Eid observances; it also approved submitting a Flexible Instruction Day application to the state for limited asynchronous make‑up days.
The Wallingford‑Swarthmore School Board approved revised district calendars and authorized submission of a Flexible Instruction Day (FID) application at the April 27 meeting. Administrators said the immediate driver for calendar changes was winter snow‑day makeup and a primary election date that required shifting a date to avoid conflict.
Dr. Johnston explained the board consulted with a community representative to make sure the calendar amendment would not disrupt Eid al‑Adha observances. The board voted unanimously to adopt revised calendars after that consultation.
Separately, the board voted to submit an FID application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Administrators described the FID as a framework for limited, primarily asynchronous learning on days when students cannot safely attend in person due to weather or similar disruptions. Under the district plan presented, K–2 students would receive prepared paper materials for those days, grades 3–5 would use district devices or packets and grades 6–12 would use existing take‑home devices. Staff emphasized the district intends to use FID sparingly and to provide families notice and supports for days called as FID.
Board members said the approach aims to reduce pressure to extend the school year or sacrifice professional development days when inclement weather forces school closures; the FID application requires state approval before it can be used.
