Ferguson-Florissant Board Approves 2012-13 Calendar

The Board of Education approved its 2012-13 school year calendar Wednesday night—but not without its share of discussion about considerations for the future.

After the initial motions to approve the calendar, board director Chris Martinez pointed out to the board that there’s an imminent task to look at how much time students are spending in class.

Board vice president Paul Schroeder said that with so many reduction in out-of-school suspension, the board might have more time to review the matter.

Both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 calendars include 179 student attendance days for the district.

According to a memo by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, school districts meet state guidelines under three options, which include:

• Calendar includes at least 174 school days and 1,044 hours of instruction.
• Calendar that has less than 174 school days and a minimum of 1,044 hours of instruction.
• Calendar that has 142 school days and a minimum of 1,044 hours of instruction.

In the new calendar, faculty and staff have more time allotted for professional development, including three full and six and a half development days compared to three in the current school year.

According the board’s agenda, the district meets all of the state’s calendar requirements.

In addition, the spring break has been moved a week later to March 25-29, and includes Good Friday.