Staff survey shows interest in extended/block calendar; board hears teacher concerns

A staff presenter said a survey of licensed staff (about 34 eligible voters) showed roughly 65% of respondents favored an extended calendar option included among draft calendars. The presenter noted the inclusion of that extended option alongside next-year calendar drafts caused confusion because the district had said it would not move to an extended calendar next year. "About 65% of the licensed staff pick that one as their favorite," the presenter said; she added that she would use narrower, simpler survey questions next time (for example, "Do you want Thanksgiving week off? yes/no?") to reduce confusion.

Separately, discussion turned to a possible move to a block schedule. Staff said 75% of a staff vote favored one block schedule option and emphasized benefits such as longer class periods for deeper instruction and immediate remediation after assessments. But elementary teachers warned repeated long breaks that come with some extended calendars can cause re-teaching burdens and harm early-grade learning; child-care availability in Stanfield and potential effects on support staff were also raised. The presenter acknowledged a possible collective-bargaining issue with the proposed schedule and said she was working with union leadership to draft a memorandum if needed. No schedule change was approved at the meeting.