Teachers oppose calendar options

Current alternative schedule not under consideration

Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Raquel Reedy said the process of looking at different school calendars wasn’t just about scheduling but “a matter of coming together and sharing our dreams as a community.”

But the calendar options on the table aren’t exactly the dream scenario for some APS schools.

About 15 speakers, including teachers from four elementary schools, went before the Board of Education on Wednesday night to rally behind APS’ existing alternative calendar.

“I really felt the alternative schedule did not have a voice,” said Celina Stoyanof, a teacher at Mary Ann Binford Elementary School.

M.A. Binford is among a few schools — such as Susie Rayos Marmon and Mark Twain elementaries — that are on the current alternative calendar, which runs from July 2019 to May 2020.

The schools have an earlier

start day than traditional schools, with intercessions during the year.

One after the other, teachers went before the board to share the benefits of staying on the alternative schedule.

But it’s not being proposed as one of the 2020-21 school year options.

For next school year, APS has presented three schedules for schools to vote on. Two of them would add 10 days to the year for the state-funded extended learning time initiative, which aims to improve student outcomes.

“I am incredibly frustrated that the alternative calendar was not an option for us. Our school and community have supported this schedule for over 25 years,” said Kaitlin Wood, a teacher and parent at S.R. Marmon.

And families have structured their lives around the alternative school schedules, staffers testified.

APS’ top administrators are planning to meet Friday and discuss the concerns at an internal meeting, spokeswoman Johanna King told the Journal.

While there is a year-round plan put forth by APS, S.R. Marmon teacher Susan Leo-Russell said there are key differences.

The alternative calendar has two, consistent breaks in the fall and spring that are each two weeks. But time off in the yearround plan is more sporadic, with shorter breaks.

M.A. Binford teacher Velora Lucero said the alternative schedule has been an asset in boosting attendance and reducing burnout for both students and staff.

She and others said a different timetable could affect truancy and academic outcomes.

Teachers also worried that if the state Public Education Department doesn’t approve their school for funding, the schools will have to default to a traditional calendar.

The teachers’ feedback came just a day after the district held a news conference to promote balloting on the new calendar, presented as a way to involve staff and the community in the decision.

After all, the administration said, these are the people affected by the calendar most.