Noblesville school board adopts balanced calendar

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - The Noblesville School Board voted Tuesday night to use a balanced calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.

They’re the first public school district in Hamilton County to make the switch.

That means school will start for Noblesville public school students next August 1, a couple weeks earlier than it did this year.

School will still be in session 180 days, but instead of a 9 ½ month school year, leaders say there will be a 10 month school year. Students will have a two week break in fall, winter and spring.

Leaders say the school district formed a committee last January to study the option. Last Monday, leaders held a public forum, then held an online survey in the district. Nearly 67% voted in favor of the balanced calendar.

Parent June Barnes says she supports the idea.

“I think the kids get bored for one thing in the summer,” Barnes said. “I think they lose what they’ve learned, and they spend a month just reviewing it all.”

But not all parents are on board with the idea. At a school board meeting Tuesday night, a few parents walked out after the board adopted the balanced calendar.

Norman Williams had hoped the school board would delay the action until the next school board meeting, because some parents had questions and doubts.

“There’s no reason to change the calendar, especially not to change it so quickly,” said Williams. “When I look at the balanced calendar research I’ve done, it doesn’t make sense.”

Parent Laura Paris also voiced her opinion at the school board meeting, saying, “There were no concrete answers for single parents or two income families and what to do with child care and how they’re going to be able to pay for child care.”

School Board President Jane Barr defended the board’s unanimous decision after the meeting, saying a committee had studied the issue for nearly a year, and had worked to get information out to parents through newsletters and online.

“I don’t feel it was rushed,” said Barr. “Any time you can make gains with students, that’s what you’re after. And what’s best for students is what we have to think about.”

But, Barr added, this will be a trial run. “Yes it passed.. but can we change it down the road? Absolutely.”

The new calendar will start for public school students in Noblesville August of 2013.