At the Board of Education meeting tonight the board is scheduled to discuss different options for the school calendar, for the 2008-2009 school year. This is the calendar that details when school starts in the fall, when it ends for the summer, and the dates of all holidays and breaks.

The board decided to look at this calendar after the experience we had with the heat this past fall. We had to send students home early on the first day of school because of the heat, and there were many more days after that when it was very uncomfortable for both students and our employees, in our six schools that aren’t fully air-conditioned. The learning environment was very difficult.

One option I discussed with the board at its last meeting was to move the start of school from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27, and to finish on June 9 instead of June 4. The board asked that we solicit input from our staff and the community on that plan. We asked for that input, and we got a lot. More than 100 individuals wrote in, often at some length and in much detail. Most had a decided opinion one way or the other, and many also had other suggestions.

In round numbers, about three-fourths of the people responding approved starting a week later. About one-fourth thought we should leave the calendar unchanged. One thing became clear very early…no matter what decision the board makes, not everyone is going to be pleased.

Two other ideas came up often. Many people feel the Thanksgiving break, currently a week long, should be shorter. And many also feel that school shouldn’t start until after Labor Day. So both these options will be available for the board to consider.

I personally read every response, and two things about them especially pleased me. Many people took a moment to say how much they appreciated having the chance to participate in the discussion, before the decision was made. And no matter what their particular opinion was, it was clear people really understood the complexities in planning this calendar.

I know all about those complexities, because for many years as assistant superintendent planning the school calendar was a major task of mine. The considerations include: our instructional concerns, especially as they relate to the scheduled testing weeks; typical family travel plans; the graduation date for seniors; community traditions; staff training days; legal holidays; summer jobs; and of course, the weather.

Those are just some of the factors we have to think about. But there are so many more. A music teacher pointed out the effect of the calendar on when students receive their instruments and prepare for their first concert. A swim team parent noted how it impacts the practice and meet schedule (while taking pains to note that academic concerns still came first). And Easter travel plans came up repeatedly.

Whichever calendar the school board ultimately approves, we will immediately post that information on our district website. Even though it’s for the next school year, still 10 months away, we’re aware many families need this information now for their planning.

Cathy Milligan
Superintendent
Fairfield City School District

Published in the Fairfield Echo, Nov. 8, 2007