2017-18 calendar ready for approval

Only three teacher inservice days in August and more spread throughout the year marks the biggest change in the proposed 2017-18 school calendar that was reviewed by the Re-1J School Board at its Wednesday, Feb. 22, meeting.
    After reviewing the calendar draft, Superintendent John McCleary noted that the proposal will return to the March 7 meeting for approval.
    The draft designates teacher inservice days Aug. 14-16, with students starting classes Thursday, Aug. 17. Other proposed inservice days are Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Jan. 2 and 15, Feb. 5 and 26 and April 16.
    The calendar includes a total of 169 student days, which McCleary pointed out is a day and a half less than last year’s calendar. However, he said he feels the day and a half will be worth the investment for staff professional development.
    New teacher orientation is slated for Friday, Aug. 11, with the first day for students being Thursday, Aug. 17.
    The first semester will end with a half day Friday, Dec. 15, and classes will resume after the holidays to start the second semester Wednesday, Jan. 3. Spring break will fall during the week of March 12-16, 2018.
    
    Administrator contracts approved for 2 years
    McCleary, Holyoke JR/SR High Principal Susan Ortner and Holyoke Elementary School Principal Kyle Stumpf were approved for their positions for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years.
    Salaries for the first year will be determined later this spring after more substantial budget numbers are in. The second-year salary will be determined a year from now.
    McCleary clarified later last week that a two-year contract is still contingent on performance.
  

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.