Keller — Keller students will have two fewer days of classes next year, if trustees approve an academic calendar proposed by administrators.
“Two more teacher work days have been added to reduce teacher workload,” said Dustin Blank, director of leadership.The Texas Education Code requires districts to provide 180 days of instruction but allows them to request waivers for some professional development days.For the past few years, Keller has had 177 student days with a general waiver for three days. Administrators told trustees at the Jan. 17 board meeting, that Keller could apply for another waiver for an additional two teacher work days.The draft calendar starts on Aug. 27 and ends on June 5.Holidays for students and staff include a week at Thanksgiving, two weeks over the Christmas/New Years holidays, the second week of March for spring break, Labor Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and Memorial Day.Prior to 2006, Keller schools typically started during the first or second week of August, which allowed for two equal semesters with the first ending before winter break. Students also got a week off during October.Now, in order to do semesters that are close to the same number of days, students must have finals after winter break.During a special session in 2006 to fix the education funding formula, Texas Legislators adopted a mandatory late start measure.Most school districts may not begin the academic year until the fourth Monday in August.Trustee Cindy Lotton said that determining the calendar should be a matter of local control.Blank said that administrators developed four possible calendars.The District Educational Improvement Committee, the Teachers’ Advisory Committee and campus principals chose the top two. Representatives from the Teachers’ Advisory Committee voted to pick the top proposal.Trustees will vote on the draft calendar at the Feb. 14 board meeting. Click here to view the proposed calendar.Sandra Engelland, 817-431-2231 Twitter: @SandraEngelland
