School Officials Delay Schedule Change Alternatives Sought For Ending Students’ Early Release Days

Thu., July 9, 1998

By Jeanette White jeanettew@spokesman.com

Spokane school administrators will wait at least a year before changing a schedule that ends the school day early so teachers can plan.

In the meantime, a group of parents, educators and community members will explore alternatives to ending classes early eight times a year.

Educators decided to consider a change after parents complained the schedule was inconvenient and teachers said the two-hour planning sessions are too short anyway.

A tentative contract between Spokane School District 81 and the Spokane Education Association includes plans to study the issue, said administrator Laurie Dolan.

No one is considering scrapping planning days altogether - just changing the schedule, Dolan said.

John Kostecka, the union’s chief negotiator, said he expects a wide variety of options to be discussed, from full-day planning sessions to year-round schools.

“What we’d like to do is bring together a whole group from the community without any preconceived notions,” said Kostecka, who expects a union vote on the contract in midAugust.

On Wednesday, school board members approved a school-year calendar that will release kids early on Sept. 23, Oct. 20 and 21, Dec. 8, Feb. 10, March 9 and 10, and May 11.

School is scheduled to start Sept. 1 - before Labor Day this year - and end June 11.

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