BOURBON – Some people oppose change. This may become an issue in the next two years if the balanced calendar is introduced to the Triton school system. This was the main focus at the Triton School Board meeting Monday. Triton School Corp. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said a balanced calendar is something to look at for the 2015-16 school year. “Nothing has been decided,” Burroughs said. “We’re just looking at a balanced calendar.” Burroughs said there is going to be a string of meetings with area schools that are also considering this calendar. These schools include Argos, Culver, John Glenn, Knox, North Judson, Oregon Davis, Plymouth and Triton. Although a balanced calendar is different than the traditional calendar, Burroughs said it is not the same as a year-round calendar. She also said the traditional calendar is “about 200 years old” and reflected times when nearly 80 percent of people were farmers and children needed to assist on the farms during the day. Today, this is vastly different. “The world has changed, society has changed,” Burroughs said. “Is it time to look at some changes in schools that would make it better for the kids?” Surrounding schools, Maconaquah and Rochester, are both using a balanced calendar with success, she reported. Maconaquah is on its third year and Rochester is on its seventh year using this balanced calendar. Burroughs reassured the audience of parents that if the school system switches to a balanced calendar, students would still be attending school for 180 days out of the year. The school year would start in August, most likely a week earlier, and students would still have eight weeks off in the summer. Unlike the traditional calendar, students would have more intercessions, or breaks, to use for remediation instead of attending summer school. Studies have shown that this is beneficial for a student’s retention. Spring athletes would have time for a break if the schools switch to a balanced calendar. Burroughs said instead of having one week for spring break, students would have two weeks off, which would give athletes a break. “Warren Central made [the calendar change] a few years ago, and they were state football champions,” Burroughs said. Burroughs also discussed the concerns with changing to a balanced calendar. Some families may need to change their daily schedules, there could be conflicts with special education or vocational classes that are not on the same calendar. Burroughs insisted this is “the beginning of a process.” When a parent addressed a rumor that if there is a vote, the majority vote would win regardless of those who are unsupportive of the calendar change, Burroughs said there is “no written agreement.” There will be five more meetings addressing a balanced calendar. The next meeting will be today at Walkerton Elementary at 7 p.m. This week is ISTEP testing week for third through eighth grade, and Burroughs said the final day of school is set for May 28.
