RE1J balks at unifying Gunnison-CB calendars
Split vote among BOE touches on tough issues
Times Staff Writer
Originally published 2010-03-11



Taking a step back from recent efforts to unify the schedules of Gunnison and Crested Butte schools, RE1J officials adopted more traditional calendars for the next two school years during their regular Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Monday, March 8.

In the face of rising complaints within the community, primarily over when spring breaks are scheduled, the BOE passed the proposed calendars by a vote of 3-2. Some hesitation still remained among board members, who applauded the district’s calendar committee for their effort in reaching out to meet the demands of numerous entities involved.

“Everybody’s special interest is taken into account, yet at the end of the day we don’t vote on special interests,” said BOE President Anne Hausler. “The main thing we have to look at is what’s best for the district.”

What that amounts to, in part, is Gunnison schools returning to a March spring break in order to realign with Western State College (WSC). Gunnison students saw their spring break pushed back to April this school year, in hopes of coming closer to a unified calendar with Crested Butte and allowing Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) testing to be completed prior to the annual spring fling.

At a Site Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting held last Tuesday, March 2, rumors that some parents who work at or attend WSC were considering pulling their children from CSAP testing so they could take a family vacation prompted a quick response by the BOE. Treasurer Bill Powell assured those present that such actions would be detrimental to the overall district, which has to meet certain federal mandates of annual yearly progress in CSAP testing.

On Monday, the BOE considered pushing back a final vote on the school calendars to their next work session, but decided that prolonging uncertainty in the community was not in their best interest.

“There’s anxiety,” said BOE secretary Lee Olesen. “I’m getting comments from parents in the Crested Butte area saying, ‘what’s happening, what’s happening,’ and I’d like to take the anxiety out of it ... the sooner the better.”

Board member Lisa Starkebaum brought up additional discrepancies with scheduled vacation/holiday time during the fall semester. Specifically, she believes that the Columbus Day holiday — which falls on the second Monday in October — should align with a school holiday for the benefit of working parents.

“I think it’s important for working parents who have Columbus Day breaks on Columbus Day,” said Starkebaum. “They might not have a break at Christmas or in the spring and we need to compensate for them also.”

Both schedules that were instated give Gunnison students off-days on the Thursday and Friday following Columbus Day. Gunnison would also return to a two-day break during the spring semester that aligns with President’s Day and the WSC holiday scheduled for both respective years.

One thing that will not change is the number of days spent at school by students and teachers. A total of 168 student days and 175 teacher days in both Gunnison and Crested Butte will continue throughout the 2011-12 school year.

Superintendant Jon Nelson reinforced the weight of the BOE decision before a final vote was tallied.

“As board members you need to know that the calendar is the most controversial thing you’ll vote on all year, unless you decide to cut football,” he joked. “The calendar is the one thing that will make people either more agitated or supportive, depending upon their view.”

To view the complete RE1J calendars for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years, visit www.gunnisonschools.net and click the tab for “Parent Resources.”

 

(Matt Smith can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or mattsmith@gunnisontimes.com)