From the WZEP website:
WCSD Negotiations and Calendars
posted Feb 20, 2014, 2:04 PM by Walton Broadcasting
WCSD Calendars
The Walton County School District Calendar Committee and Superintendent Anderson made their recommendation to the Board, but the Board was not onboard with so many days off.
Board member Mark Davis talked about the 36 hours of professional development. He said most months have two weeks that are shortened than normal. Davis said this causes problems for parents. He said they start school and it is only a short time before parents have to deal with two four day weeks. He said the usual holidays and the professional development days mean every month there are days off. Davis called it an impossible schedule for parents. He recommended rejecting the calendar and putting in only 20 hours of professional development, the minimal, instead of getting to the maximum of 40 hours. Davis said he can not support this many days.
Member Sharon Roberts agreed and said they are killing the working parents. She said the biggest complaint is getting out for Christmas on the 22nd, close to the holiday when people are travelling. She said they need to be out a week before and after Christmas.
Member Gail Smith said they are required to have professional development. She said the idea of having professional growth for professional people is a must. Davis said he agrees they need professional development, but said it is actually not required. Member Faye Leddon said she has also heard from parents and teachers. She said they have to listen to them.
Superintendent Carlene Anderson said she can not afford to pay teachers with a longer year of work. She said they do not get progress monitoring in the summer. Davis said some teachers do not get anything out of most professional development. Anderson said they need to call her. Davis said they will not do that.
Member Dennis Wallace asked if there is another plan, another way to do this. He said they might need to table the issue. Davis suggested a week in the fall and in the spring to get professional development done. Anderson said she is not in favor of cutting professional development, but is in favor of the least intrusion to the parents.
The Board voted 2-3 to reject the recommendation. Anderson said she will go back to the calendar committee.
WCSD Negotiations and Calendars
posted Feb 20, 2014, 2:04 PM by Walton Broadcasting
WCSD Calendars
The Walton County School District Calendar Committee and Superintendent Anderson made their recommendation to the Board, but the Board was not onboard with so many days off.
Board member Mark Davis talked about the 36 hours of professional development. He said most months have two weeks that are shortened than normal. Davis said this causes problems for parents. He said they start school and it is only a short time before parents have to deal with two four day weeks. He said the usual holidays and the professional development days mean every month there are days off. Davis called it an impossible schedule for parents. He recommended rejecting the calendar and putting in only 20 hours of professional development, the minimal, instead of getting to the maximum of 40 hours. Davis said he can not support this many days.
Member Sharon Roberts agreed and said they are killing the working parents. She said the biggest complaint is getting out for Christmas on the 22nd, close to the holiday when people are travelling. She said they need to be out a week before and after Christmas.
Member Gail Smith said they are required to have professional development. She said the idea of having professional growth for professional people is a must. Davis said he agrees they need professional development, but said it is actually not required. Member Faye Leddon said she has also heard from parents and teachers. She said they have to listen to them.
Superintendent Carlene Anderson said she can not afford to pay teachers with a longer year of work. She said they do not get progress monitoring in the summer. Davis said some teachers do not get anything out of most professional development. Anderson said they need to call her. Davis said they will not do that.
Member Dennis Wallace asked if there is another plan, another way to do this. He said they might need to table the issue. Davis suggested a week in the fall and in the spring to get professional development done. Anderson said she is not in favor of cutting professional development, but is in favor of the least intrusion to the parents.
The Board voted 2-3 to reject the recommendation. Anderson said she will go back to the calendar committee.
), but gives some understanding about why there is opposition to the max professional development hours.