It seems like the school year will start really early next year.
To comply with state law, schools cannot start earlier than the fourth Monday of August. Schools must start as early as allowed to get as many days into the first semester as possible. In 2008-09, school started on August 25. In 09-10, school started on August 24. Next year, the proposal is for school to start on August 23.

Why is the second semester so much longer than the first semester?
The state imposes a “no earlier than” school start date and it is best for secondary campuses to end the first semester before the holidays because of credit calculations. These events cause a compaction of the fall semester. Because so much of the spring is spent in testing, instructional days probably balance between the fall and spring semesters.

Why are there less staff development days in this school calendar?
The Optional Flexible Year Program requires that schools have 180 instructional days. This current school year we have 178 instructional days because we have two more staff development days. Instead of staff development days throughout the year, early release days have been inserted to allow teachers time to plan for the next six weeks and also have development opportunities.  

Why are early release days scheduled on Monday instead of Friday?
The reason for having early release days is to give staff time to focus on planning and staff development. Friday afternoons are not the optimal time for this activity.

Why have early releases in the middle of the week?
Only one early release is planned for the middle of the week (October 6) and that day will used to encourage parents to visit with teachers during report card pickup after students are released at 1 p.m.

Will all teachers remain at work during the Optional Flexible Year Program or will some teachers be dismissed early along with students?
All teachers will remain working during the Optional Flexible Year Program to fulfill their 187-day contracts. Hopefully, enough students will earn the privilege of being released early so that more teachers will be available to help tutor students who did not meet the requirements for early release.

What happens when we have secondary students who qualify to use the Optional Flexible Year program if we have to use the bad weather make up day on June 3? Will they have to make up a day?
No, they won't have to make it up. June 3 can be added to the days they are off.