Biddeford school committee tables proposed calendar change after debate on PD and contract limits

The Biddeford School Committee debated proposed changes to the academic calendar on April 9, 2020 but voted to table a decision after members raised logistical and contractual concerns.

Superintendent Ray presented two draft calendars: "draft A," which would add more early-release days (15 early-release days), and "draft B," a version closer to the current schedule. He said the district must stay within a regional requirement to match 175 student days, limiting how many student days can be converted to staff-only days. "You don't have the ability to really change a lot of the student days because you have to match up the hundred and 75 student days," Ray said during the discussion.

Board members pressed the tradeoffs between half-day early releases and full staff professional development (PD) days. Marie said she favored clarity on which specific days would change in April and asked about the contractual protections that lock certain days into the schedule. Michelle expressed concern about the impact of frequent half days on younger children and working parents, saying she wanted to "make sure there's time for PD, but I'm also concerned about the lower grades and half days and what that means." Rebecca and others urged exploring adding full staff days in negotiations rather than expanding half days immediately.

Several members raised financial and operational reasons the council had previously adopted a Thursday non-student day: it can reduce travel costs for staff and families and was tied to past negotiations. Ray noted the district had previously estimated family travel savings when shifting travel days earlier. At the same time, members said half days can be less productive than a full day of PD because of travel, staggered schedules and the time needed to settle into collaborative work.

After extended discussion, the chair asked whether the committee needed a vote that night. With no clear majority toward either draft and direction from multiple members to pursue bargaining-level solutions, a member moved to table the calendar decision. The motion to table carried by unanimous voice vote. The committee agreed to revisit calendar adjustments after further negotiation and more detailed planning on PD goals and alignment across grade levels.

The committee also directed administration to return with a deeper dive on potential capital and budget impacts at a future meeting.

Next step: the calendar item is tabled and will return for further consideration pending negotiation outcomes and staff follow-up.