School Board Reviews 2023-24 Academic Calendar Survey Results with Mixed Feedback

During the recent Manassas Park City Schools Board meeting, the results of the academic school year calendar survey for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 were presented, revealing significant community feedback on the proposed calendars. The survey, which garnered 214 responses, primarily from staff members (58%), followed by parents (24%) and students (19%), highlighted a divide in approval for the proposed calendars.

The survey results indicated that 53% of respondents disapproved of the proposed calendar, while 46.7% expressed support. This translates to 112 respondents against the calendar and 98 in favor. Notably, among parents, 68% supported the calendar, while a majority of staff (58.7%) and students (56.8%) opposed it. The staff's response rate was particularly high, with 121 responses, indicating a strong interest in the calendar's implications.

The meeting also addressed the written feedback from the survey, which included 153 comments that revealed five common themes. While specific details of these themes were not disclosed during the meeting, they are expected to inform future discussions and potential revisions to the calendar.

This feedback is crucial as the school board aims to align the calendar development with the division's strategic goals, ensuring that it meets the needs of the community. The board's next steps will likely involve reviewing the feedback in detail and considering adjustments to the proposed calendar based on the community's input. This process underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping educational policies that directly affect students, families, and staff in Manassas Park.