We are receiving a lot of thoughtful consideration regarding the new school calendar and are very appreciative. The new law states that students can begin no sooner than the two weeks prior to Labor Day and students must be dismissed no later than Memorial Day. This is a two year law (actually 15 months). All we know today is that students cannot begin prior to August 20, 2012, and salaries cannot be reduced. Below is a follow-up to your responses thus far.
- Add minutes to the day and attend fewer days.
- We looked at this earlier and came to the conclusion that if we add minutes to either side of the day, some students would either be picked-up or dropped-off in the dark. This is a tremendous safety concern.
- Cutting days will result in fewer meals served. We are reimbursed per each meal that we serve. Reimbursement for CCBOE is approximately $5,000 per day. A 175 day calendar, would cost the system $25,000 or the equivalent of one CNP staff member.
- Cutting days could lead to future problems. If the system reduces instructional days, some non-certified persons would have nothing to do unless reassigned (transportation and CNP). If the aforementioned work fewer days, when the law expires and if we return to a 187 calendar, do they earn more pay?
- Increase the number of days for Christmas break
- The proposed consists of a first semester calendar of 85 days and a second semester calendar of 95 days. Keep in mind, by law, there are only two required holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. To make Christmas break longer, days would either be taken from Thanksgiving or Spring Break. Currently, Spring Break will also serve as bad weather days.
- If you shorten first semester, first semester exams might have to be given in January.
