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Board pushes to add student downtime/recess to start of year planning
Summary
Trustees discussed adding/reinstating structured downtime (recess) across elementary and middle grades, asked administration to examine scheduling and required minutes, and requested options and timelines to implement a recess/downtime format by the start of the school year.
Board members urged the administration to prioritize adding structured downtime or recess across grade levels and return with scheduling options. Several trustees said downtime looks different for students and emphasized flexibility (some students need outdoor, active breaks; others need quiet time to read). One trustee said, “We know recess works,” and urged rapid implementation at the start of the year; administrators said they will gather scheduling, instructional-minute, and staffing implications and return with recommendations for a feasible window (possible first marking period or earlier).
Trustees cautioned that planners must ensure required instructional minutes and state reporting are not jeopardized and asked that pacing guides, teacher involvement, and supervision be accounted for. Administration agreed to compile the relevant scheduling constraints and bring options to the board for discussion and decision.
