School Board Needs Input on Calendar

The Douglas County Board of Education is seeking input from parents, staff and the community on three proposed 2011-2012 calendar options. It is anticipated that the vote to approve next year's calendar will be Jan. 18. The community is asked to review the information below and the attached calendar options, then express opinions as soon as possible here.

The following guidelines were used to develop the calendar options:

• 180 student attendance days/190 teacher contract days
• Semester options of 88/92, 89/91 or 90/90 days were used in the development process (further variation from the 90/90 split is not advisable due to current high school block scheduling)
• Conclusion of first semester prior to winter break
• Setting of spring break in April for the week following the first Sunday in conjunction with most metro school systems.

All three calendar options for 2011-2012 share commonalities of the student calendar year as follows:

Sept. 5: Holiday
Nov. 8: Election Day Student Holiday/Teacher Day
Dec. 16: End of 1st Semester
Jan. 2: Holiday

Jan. 3: Student Holiday/Teacher Day
Jan. 4: Semester Begins
Jan. 16: Holiday
Feb. 20-24: Holidays
April 2-6: Holidays
May 25: Last Day of School

Distinguishing features of options are as follows:

Option A: August 1, First Student Day; Oct. 10-14, Holidays, Nov. 21-25, Holidays.

Option B: August 4, First Student Day; Oct. 10, Student Holiday; Nov. 21-25, Holidays; March 30, Student Holiday/Teacher Day.

Option C: August 8, First Student Day; Oct. 10, Holiday; Nov. 23-25, Holidays; March 30, Student Holiday/Teacher Day.

The deadline for survey participation is Jan. 11. Anyone without Internet access can pick up a copy of the survey at any school front office or at the Central Office reception desk.