School Board settles on calendar

Parents can plan on weekly early dismissals

The Clear Lake School Board approved a school calendar Monday night which includes a 2 p.m. dismissal each Wednesday during the 2013-14 school year.  The early dismissal provides time for state-required teacher in-service time.

The weekly early dismissal is a departure from the every other week early out scheduled in this years’ calendar.  School officials said the every other week plan did not work well for several reasons, chiefly its inconsistency due to holiday breaks.  Parents also had a difficult time remembering the scattered early dismissal days.

Schools Superintendent Anita Micich and the district’s Administrative Team recommended the every week plan in an effort to offer consistency for parents.  Leadership from the Clear Lake Education Association, representing teachers, also favored the every week early dismissal plan.

The district sent a survey home asking parents to state their preference for early dismissal; no clear favorites were identified, other than early dismissals were preferred to late starts.

The proposal passed on a 4-1 vote.  Board member Chad Kuhlers cast the only vote against the every week early dismissal plan, indicating he felt longer sessions every other week would be more productive for teachers.

The 2013-14 school year will begin Aug. 19.  Christmas break will take place Dec. 23-Jan. 6; Spring Break is March 10-14; Graduation is May 18.  The school year will end May 23, with snow days available May 27-30.

In other business Monday, the Board approved its 2013-14 budget based upon zero allowable growth from the State.  

Lorna Leerar, business manager for the School District, - Read More Via e-Edition