The Dolores School board on Tuesday debated with teachers and parents on the best calendar schedule for next year, but had to delay the decision.
Superintendent Scott Cooper advocated for starting the school year two days earlier, beginning the day 10 minutes later, reducing the high school lunch period by five minutes, and extending Thanksgiving break to five school days from three.
"Students learn and develop better with more rest, and the later start time will cut down on tardiness," Cooper said, adding the change also allows time for snow removal and is safer for kids when daylight comes later.
The proposal to start the school year August 19, instead of August 21, would free up time for two additional professional development days for teachers to catch up on paperwork and lesson plans.
A shorter lunch hour - 40 minutes instead of 45 - for high-school students is aimed in part at dissuading them from racing to Cortez and back to fast food restaurants.
But school leaders in favor of the new schedule got pushback from parents, teachers and board members. The current calendar, negotiated by a committee of parents and teachers, and was supposed to stay in place another year.
"We put in a lot of hours negotiating and reaching a consensus. To suddenly have it changed is disingenuous," said high school teacher Carlos Somers.
Board members Linnea Vass and Jon Kelly were skeptical of the shorter lunch hour, predicting it could backfire and cause students to drive even faster to go to Cortez for lunch and get back to campus on time.
"I warn people about driving Highway 145 at the lunch hour," Vass said. "It's a mad rush already."
A decision needs to be made soon on the schedule, said elementary school principal Sherri Maxwell, because parents and teachers need to know the upcoming year's schedule so they can plan accordingly.
"We are getting a lot of calls on what the schedule will be," she said.
The board supported keeping the additional professional development days for the teachers, but were less enthusiastic on the other changes.
"I think we should stick with the original plan," said board president Allan Thayer.
The board was leaning toward a start date of August 21, and keeping Thanksgiving break to three school days instead of five. A final decision is expected at the next meeting May 28.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com