Fredericksburg City Public Schools Pre-Labor Start Study - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Pre-Labor Start Study

Fredericksburg City School Board October 1, 2018

FCPS Pre-Labor Day Opening Committee

• Mrs. Laura Baxter-Christopher, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
• Mrs. Lori Bridi, Director of Assessment & Accountability
• Dr. Andrea Bumbrey, Director of Head Start
• Mrs. Pam Diggs, LUES Assistant Principal
• Dr. Tim Duffy, JMHS Assistant Principal
• Mr. Michael George, Director of Technology
• Mrs. Sandy Gillenwater, HMES Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Keesha Keels, WGMS Assistant Principal
• Dr. Jonathan Russ, Chief Administrative Officer
• Dr. Harry Thomas, Chief Academic Officer
• Mrs. Sonya Walsh, Supervisor of Prof. Dev. and Special Programs

Guidelines for Considering and Approving Requests for Pre-Labor Day Openings

• 1. Division has been closed an avg. of eight days/year during

any five of the last ten years.

• 2. Division provides services in conjunction with another

division that qualifies for such waiver.

• 3. Division is providing an experimental or innovative

program which requires an earlier opening date.

• 4. Division is entirely surrounded by a division(s) that has an
• pening date prior to Labor Day.

VDOE School Division Openings (2017-18)

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons

Schedule would mirror that of surrounding divisions High temperature on buses End of 1st semester at Winter break Some families may have a pre-planned summer vacation (attendance) Human Resources would be on same hiring schedule as surrounding divisions Budget issues (new funding available on July 1) SOL Fall retakes could be completed prior to Winter break Time to clean buildings (1st year)

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons

Fall/Spring sports schedules would be in line with school schedules Summer Programs (Summer School, Summer Scholars, Summer Fun, K- Camp, Parks & Rec, ESY) School schedule would mirror child care schedules in surrounding counties School Planning – New Year (1st year) Teacher schedules would match child’s school schedule if in surrounding divisions Timing of SIS roll-over & payroll Instructor schedules match surrounding divisions (T’s & S’s will be able to enroll in college level courses Filling teacher vacancies (1st year)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)



If our family has already planned/scheduled/funded a family vacation, will days absent count as unexcused absences?



• No. Days missed at the beginning of the school year if on a family vacation will not count

as absences and students will be given ample opportunity to make up any missed work.



Are all FCPS school buses air conditioned?



• No. We currently purchase two buses each summer. All new buses we purchase are

equipped with AC. We have a total of six. To retrofit our entire fleet with AC, it would cost a total of approximately $500,000.



What impact will a pre-labor day start have on existing summer programs?

 If a pre-labor start is decided, a committee will determine which summer programs will

exist during the first shortened summer. After the first transition year, all current programs would be able to be reinstated.



If it is decided to begin school prior to labor day, will this happen for the 2019-20 school year, or 2020-21?



If a pre-labor start is decided, the Calendar Committee will propose several options (including year to begin). Public input would be invited and considered. The FCPS School Board will ultimately make the final decision.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools Pre-Labor Day Opening Survey

I. Informational paragraph; list of pros/cons II. I am (check all that apply):

• Parent/Guardian of Elementary School student(s)
• Parent/Guardian of Middle School student(s)
• Parent/Guardian of High School student(s)
• Staff
• Community Member
• Fredericksburg Business Owner

Fredericksburg City Public Schools Pre-Labor Day Opening Survey

• III. FCPS should begin school before Labor Day.
• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Neutral
• Agree
• Strongly Agree
• IV. In the space provided, please share your comments/concerns related to a Pre-

Labor Day opening for FCPS. (256 or 4000 character limit)

Thank you!

Questions? Comments? Concerns?