Board approves calendar change to remove high-school early-release exam days

The Fountain Hills Unified School District board voted to approve a change to the yearly school calendar to eliminate high-school early-release half days previously scheduled for final exams. Unidentified Speaker 2 moved the motion and an unnamed colleague seconded it; the board voiced support and the motion carried.

Superintendent Dr. Jay and district staff explained the change at the meeting, saying the district lengthened class periods to roughly 70 minutes from about 55 minutes. "Given the school schedule change ... we've lengthened each period to 70 minutes from roughly 55 minutes, there's no longer a need for that," a district staff member told the board. District staff said retaining the old early-release dates could cause the high school to fall below required instructional hours for seniors.

Board members raised concerns about families who had already planned travel around previously published calendars. One board member urged that teachers "be somewhat lenient for any student who already has plane tickets to go somewhere," asking staff to be flexible for students with preexisting plans. Dr. Jay said staff would review assessment and scheduling logistics and planned to incorporate flexibility where appropriate.

The board made and seconded a motion to approve the calendar changes and, after a verbal vote of "aye," the motion carried. District staff said the revised calendar will return to the board for final review on November 15 if further adjustments are needed.

The action was procedural and limited to the district calendar; no changes to instructional policy or graduation requirements were made at the meeting.