A rescheduled meeting did nothing to quell the debate among board members of the Oregon-Davis School District.
The group, like many other school corporations, considered a balanced calendar proposal that would put their class days more in line with area vocational schools and other school corporations.
A balanced calendar shortens summer vacation, but distributes the days more evenly throughout the year for better learning retention and other benefits. Oregon-Davis Superintendent Greg Briles says he believes the calendar is a good thing compared to the area.
“This calendar works for us because it affords our students the exact same opportunities that every other student in our area has,” says Briles.
Not every board member was initially in agreement with the plan. Concerns over measuring student progress and success were expressed.
Certain breaks in the Oregon-Davis balanced calendar are scheduled for student remediation – which gives students an opportunity to relearn information they may be struggling with over vacation to keep graduation on track.
In past discussions, it was brought up that remediation time be required for those students in need. Briles reassured board members.
“That is our prerogative to make those mandatory days for those students who are failing classes, need remediation with their testing, or any of those lines where: whatever’s available,” says Briles.
The first day for students in the 2015-2016 school year is scheduled for August 4th.
The Oregon-Davis School Board approved the balanced calendar option.
