December 2, 2004

 

WISD Calendar Study Committee Submits 2005-2006 Calendar Recommendation

The Weatherford ISD recently charged a group of teachers, parents, community members, and administrators with the daunting task of creating the 2005-2006 school calendar.  The challenge of creating next year’s upcoming calendar was driven by state statutes and factors the committee believed were driving forces in the development process. 

Texas Education Code states that school districts may begin the first day of school no earlier than the week in which August 21 falls.  In 2005, that day is Monday, August 22, seven days later than the 2004-2005 school year began.  The Calendar Study Committee determined there were six factors driving the development of the calendar for next year.  These factors are:  Increased number of days of instruction prior to the administration of the TAKS test, partial first week for students, balance the number of days between first and second semester, the Wednesday off before Thanksgiving, finish the first semester before the Winter Break, and have two full weeks with three weekends for the Winter Break.  The Committee presented a calendar to the WISD Administration in late November, just prior to the Thanksgiving break. 

The starting date for this “proposed” calendar is Wednesday, August 10, 2005.  In order to begin school prior to the legislated start date, the district must apply to the Texas Education Agency for a waiver.  The district is required to host a public hearing to collect input from the public regarding the proposed start date before the Board of Trustees will consider approval of the calendar.  This hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the District Services Building at 1100 Longhorn Drive.  For more information, contact Bill Shatford, executive director of student services.