By Staff
LANSING – Intermediate school districts and their constituent school districts would be required to adopt a single, common calendar under legislation that passed the Senate Education Committee, said Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, who sponsored the bill.
The common calendar would take effect with the 2008-2009 school year and must include the dates for a winter holiday break, a spring break and professional development days. Each calendar would be required to identify these specific days-off for at least five years out.
"Having one common calendar among all the local schools serviced by the same ISD will be good for students, parents, schools and the overall education system," testified Jelinek, a former teacher. "Families who have multiple children attending different schools in the district, either full- or part-time, will benefit from having the same vacation schedules at all of the schools."
Schools that operate on a year-round or trimester program would be exempt from the common calendar. School districts would still be allowed some individuality in regards to dates such as mid-winter breaks.