It was a shorter calendar talk than in years gone by on Monday February 22 when the Stanley-Boyd Board of Education met to hold a public hearing on the start and end dates for next year’s academic cycle, starting this fall.

With a start date of August 19 pending approval of a waiver for early start by the State Department of Public Instruction (DPI), followed with an end date of May 26, 2022 for the coming school year, the course outline is set for 2021-22. Unlike last year’s discussion, just one public commenter in Becky Peterson along with an S-B alum and present teacher (Bob Seidl) offered their opinions on the calendar matter. Speaking of which, there was the public hearing!

“I wish we knew it for sure,” Chad Verbeten said after Becky Peterson had spoken. “I’m speculating a little, but I think a lot of people agree with your statement and Mrs. Peterson’s statement,” he gestured toward board member Jeff Boie. “Get some time in and then you have a three day weekend.” Going on to mention the popularity of the calendar under discussion with teachers due to a break at Thanksgiving after “nine straight weeks” of instruction, Verbeten was concurred with by Mr. Seidl, who teaches in the high school.

“Those are logical breaks,” he said, “with interruptions in between. Which makes sense.” Different calendar options previously had start dates of August 26 and in September, with Seidl mentioning that while the August 19 start date with delayed sports ending just prior did seem early, but that after several weeks in the new calendar “you’re so glad you did,” he said of the early start date under discussion.

“Anybody else have anything?” Geist asked, shortly closing the public hearing to take a vote on the adoption of the calendar, with Verbeten making the initial motion.

“I’ll make a motion to adopt the early start calendar as presented by the administration with an early start date for students of August 19 and last day of students May 26,” he said, being seconded in this by member Ryan Lewallen.

With a separate motioning and vote to approve the application for a state waiver following upon the successful passage of the district calendar for 2021-22.

“It’s definitely a challenging year, but I think Koenig did a very good job,” board member Chad Verbeten shared as to his thoughts on how things had gone with Stanley-Boyd potentially looking to close out the present hybrid school year without having to close, as other local districts have. The hybrid schedule, meanwhile, was approved last fall after the board dismissed one option for a 5-day onsite calendar plan.

A sign at the February board meeting, after criticism over a locked door the Board professed to be an accident.