Parents back balanced school calendar

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - A balanced school calendar is something new for this area. It offers a shorter summer break with longer breaks throughout the year.

As one Wabash Valley community looks to make the change, they know it's a decision that will have a lasting impact.

Anthony Schleppy listens intently as concerns are brought forth at an information meeting at the Clay County School Corporation Central Office.
     
As the father of two children in Clay County schools, he feels a balance calendar would be the best fit for his family.

"The flexibility for vacation scheduling, and really eight weeks is plenty for the kids to hopefully have less to remember when the school year starts back up," said Anthony.
     
Anthony isn't alone. The Clay County school corporation sent out surveys and received over 300 responses.
     
Seventy-one percent said they wanted a balanced calendar.
     
However, some parents disagree. They argue the new calendar would make it harder to provide child care over breaks.
     
But that's why this meeting was held; to give the Clay County school board the opportunity to hear from the community.

"They're going to need to have this input from all sides in order to make a legitimate, educational decision for our students and our school corp," said Superintendent Kimberly Tucker.
     
In the end, everyone realizes that any decision will be a learning experience and it might need to be tweaked.

"What we're striving for is a schedule that best fits clay community schools," said board member Amy Burke Adams, "and what we implement this year or for next year might not be the perfect one; but it'll give us an opportunity to see what works and what doesn't."

This was an informational meeting only.
     
The decision between the three balanced calendars and the traditional schedule will be made February 14th.