Yesterday the School District put out a press release indicating that the two negotiation teams — on one side the School District, the other AEA — had come to a tentative agreement on two version of the calendar for the 2013 – 2014 school year. This is terrific since last year it took forever to come to an agreement on the calendar.
So here’s how it works, there are two versions “Draft B” and “Draft C.” I don’t know if there is a preferred calendar, but these both go to the AEA membership who will then vote next week on which they would like the School Board to adopt, if all goes well, we should have a calendar by the January 15th School Board meeting. *Crossed fingers*
Here are the two options:
I must say I much more of a fan of Draft B since I’m not in love with the August 21 start date in the Draft C calendar and the mid week start date is weird as well. Also I think the additional Friday during the Winter Break and additional day for the “Spring Holiday” is unnecessary in Draft C, especially if that directly translates into an earlier start date. But I much prefer the earlier Spring Break — March 24 – 28 — in Draft C, than the March 31 – April 4 Spring Break in Draft B. For me if the Spring Break could be moved earlier, Draft B would be practically perfect.
But I’ll be happy with any adopted calendar.
since we no longer have neither adult or student in the system and I gotta go, I’m not that invested, but our son is now at school in quarter system ( ? I can’t keep it straight). Anyway, they start late ( mid Sept) and finish 10 weeks including exams before winter break and then get out mid- June which is not like Cal where kids get out in mid-May. I;m not sure either calendar here can prevent the problem of kids returning after winter break and spending one week before exams on their fall studies, but that is a drag for obvious reasons.
Comment by M.I. — January 11, 2013 @ 8:50 am
Do the parents ever get to voice an opinion on the calendar? Before it is agreed on?
Comment by Not. A. Alamedan — January 11, 2013 @ 10:03 am
The best way for parents to voice an opinion on the calendar is to communicate them to the school board via email and/or in person. In my ten years on the school board, this is the first time I can recall that the community has even seen the calendars that are being voted on. In the future, if you have a strong preference about starting dates, breaks associated with holidays, long weekends, etc share your input with the school board. We will take your input to provide direction to staff when they sit down and work the teacher’s union about future calendars.
Comment by Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonAUSD) — January 12, 2013 @ 10:56 am