Roundup Families;
I would like to take this opportunity to share the 2023-24 school calendar and to address the 4-day school week. I know that some families were disappointed that we didn’t move straight to a 4-day, especially considering the community poll that leaned heavily towards supporting a 4-day school week. The Board of Trustees are committed to continuing the conversation regarding a 4-day week. In the March board meeting they voted to make it a board goal. However, we did not want to rush the decision, and therefore decided to make a small adjustment to the 2023-24 calendar, with the goal of discussing the 4-day calendar in the Fall of 2023.
Based on advice from legal counsel, the following items must be sufficiently handled prior to a board vote to go to a 4-day school week. Please see below:
(a) negotiate the changes with the recognized collective bargaining unit representing the employees affected by the changes;
(b) solicit input from the employees affected by the changes but not represented by a collective bargaining agreement; and
(c) solicit input from the people who live within the boundaries of the school district.
We started the process to solicit information, and speak to our employees, but we need to specifically reach out and collect dissenting voices, concerns, and thoughts from family members through a special board meeting, and fully negotiate employee contracts prior to a final decision of the board.
In the meantime we developed a schedule that hopefully provides a fresh new look, and breaks up the year a little more. Highlights include:
- School starts a week later
- Longer winter break
- Longer spring break
- 9 Early Out (Intervention Days)
I know families have asked a few questions regarding the intervention days. This year we had 12 minimum days throughout the year, next year we will have 9. Those days will finish at 12:00N, with lunch being provided prior to departure. Buses will also operate on these days as well. Many of these days are connected to holiday breaks, and the home basketball schedule is similar to this year. These days also fall at the end of the quarter, prior to grades being submitted. We will provide more information regarding the educational structure of these days in the near future. These days will be designed to help students in focused areas of need, based on parent suggestions, grades, and attendance. The goal of the intervention days are to keep students in school and on track to graduate.
We have also decreased the length of the school year, and provided a few additional days off. This was accomplished by slightly extending the school day. If the Board of Trustees decides to move forward with a 4-day school week in the 2024-25 school year, we will need to lengthen the day even more.
As the Board of Trustees continues to discuss the 4-day school week, please feel free to submit written responses with your thoughts and concerns. Please follow this link to view the board approved school calendar for the 2023-24 school year.
Sincerely,
Josiah Mayfield, Superintendent
Round Public Schools