Subject: School Year 2023/24 Calendar
Staff Contact: Marty K Smith, chief operating officer
Other Staff Present: Sloan Presidio, chief academic officer
Nardos King, chief equity officer
Lisa Hall, chief experience and engagement officer
Sherry Wilson, assistant superintendent, Human Resources
Meeting Category: February 9, 2023 – Regular Meeting
School Board Action Required: Action
Related to: Legal Requirement
Summary/Background:
Draft calendars have been created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Three final frameworks are available for review:
- Draft blue calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, 2-week winter break, 180 instructional days
- Draft orange calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, shortened winter break (where feasible), 180 instructional days
- Draft purple calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, 2-week winter break, 177 instructional days
Calendars were developed using the following criteria:
- Federal, state and Virginia Department of Education guidance
- Superintendent’s priorities
- School Board input
- Student absentee data
- Staff absentee data
- Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars
- Survey Results
- Calendar Feedback Committee input
Recommendation: That the Board approve a school year calendar.
Attachments:
Final 2023-24 Feedback Form Responses
2023-24 Standard school year calendar option orange
2023-24 Standard school year calendar option purple
2023-24 Standard school year calendar option blue
2024-25 Standard school year calendar option purple
2024-25 Standard school year calendar option blue
2024-25 Standard school year calendar option orange
2025-26 Standard school year calendar option blue
2025-26 Standard school year calendar option orange
2025-26 Standard school year calendar option purple
Board Member Proposed Substitute Motion:
1. I move to substitute the Main Motion with a substitute motion such that the school board will approve the Superintendent's "blue option-amended" draft calendar that was updated and provided to the Board today, February 9, 2023 for SY 2023-24, SY2024-25 and 2025-26. (McLaughlin)
Board Member Proposed Amendments:
1. I move to amend the main motion by changing the 2nd QE (quarter end) to Thursday, 1/25, and move the 1/16 PW to 1/26. This will provide a crucial work day for teachers as they wrap up the 2nd quarter. (McLaughlin)
2. I move to amend the main motion by changing the 3red QE to occur on Friday, March 22 (right before spring break), and move the 1/16 PW to 1/26. This will provide a crucial work day for teachers as they wrap up the 2nd quarter. (McLaughlin)
3. I move to amend the main motion by relocating the 2023-24 Friday August 11th PW to Tuesday March 5 (Super Tuesday Pesidential Primary Day) based on past County Board of Election requests to close schools on that day. And to shift the Monday, August 4th New Teacher Workday to Friday, August 11th. (McLaughlin)
4. I move to amend the main motion by shifting the Monday, August 4th new teacher work day to Friday, August 8 on the SY2025-26 calendar. (McLaughlin)
Board Member Proposed Follow-On Motions:
1. I move to direct the Superintendent to work with the County Executive to develop a plan for the promotion of enrichment and/or recreational activities that may be available for students to participate when schools are closed for professional work days and extended periods of time. (Corbett Sanders)
2. I move to direct the Board governance committee to work with the superintendent on developing a new calendar policy or to revise existing regulation 1344 to devise a comprehensive calendar policy that includes but is not limited to which factors are considered calendar criteria, how they are prioritized in ways that are equitable and fair, what roles various entities play in informing the process, and the timeline by which this occurs; and to present this draft to the board early enough for it to be approved before any future calendar discussion or development. (Omeish/Anderson)