Mehlville Board Approves 2013-2014 School Calendar

School for the 2013-2014 school year will begin August 15 and end May 21.

The Mehlville School District Board of Education voted 4-3 to approve the calendar at Thursday’s meeting after postponing a decision on the calendar in March. Former board president Venki Palamand and board members Ron Fedorchak and Rich Franz voted against the motion.

Next fall’s calendar will include eight two-hour early dismissal days for teacher development, in addition to three full days reserved as professional development work days. (One of these days, Aug. 12, falls before the start of classes.)

The calendar also includes the following important dates:

• Aug. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 — new teacher orientation
• Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 — Winter Break
• March 17-21 — Spring Break

The calendar meets the state’s minimum of 174 school days; 87 in each semester.

Fedorchak, who moved last year to expand the school calendar to 180 days, echoed these thoughts during Thursday's meeting. He believes that student achievement is tied to additional instructional time with teachers, and a benefit to struggling students. Nearby school districts are utilizing a 180-day year, he argued.

"We're giving that away," he said.

Superintendent Eric Knost added there was some discussion to how the school's calendar committe operates, and consideration to make it a committee of the board. They'll also consider kicking off the calendar process earlier in the school year with the committee "possibly expanding their perameters and create different options to consider."

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