Scottsdale school board moves graduation to May 24,
sets Aug. 16 as opening day next year

In separate actions Tuesday night, the Governing Board moved the graduation date for this year up one day, and approved next year’s school calendar, pushing the school start date to a week later in August.

By a 3-1 vote, the Board voted to move up graduation this year by one day, to Monday, May 24, out of respect for those families who will be observing the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. This will not affect the scheduled date for the last day of school for all students, which still will be Tuesday, May 25, nor the last day for teachers, which still will be Wednesday, May 26.

This year’s school calendar, recommended by a calendar committee of parents, staff, and others, originally called for graduation to be held the evening of May 25.

The action came at the urging of the Jewish Federation and parents.

“Your district has consistently shown a commitment to diversity and appreciation for the multi cultural, ethnic and religious diversity that is represented by your student body and faculty,” noted a Sept. 17 letter from the Jewish Federation to the superintendent. The 12 signors urged consideration for a different date for graduation, which was outside of the three-day holiday that begins at sundown on May 25 and concludes at sundown on May 27.

Before voting, Board members discussed how families of high school seniors have already made travel plans, ordered invitations, or made other arrangements. They also discussed with high school principals who were in attendance at the meeting, what effects the date change would have on the testing schedule and on plans for the ceremony itself, as well as on the Project Graduation events that are sponsored by parents immediately following graduation.

In making the motion to change the graduation date, Board Member Christine Schild also requested that high school seniors and their parents be notified of the date change, along with vendors who have been contracted to provide graduation items, such as initiations and caps and gowns.

In other action, the Board approved a calendar for the 2004-2005 school year, which has the first day of classes scheduled for Monday, Aug. 16. The move required shortening the proposed fall break by two days, and the proposed winter break by another two days. Fall break will be Oct. 11-13, and winter break will be Dec. 22 through Dec. 31.

The Board action came after months of public comment by parents who were split on whether to begin school earlier in August, or later. There were many arguments raised on both sides. For instance, some parents pointed out that an earlier start date provides an academic advantage, while other parents argued that it is too hot, especially for younger students, to begin so early in August.

Board Member Karen Beckvar offered a compromise, which the Board voted on 4-0, to begin school one week later than what was recommended earlier this year by the calendar committee. Several Board members expressed their respect of the process and of the work of the calendar committee.

In approving next year’s calendar, the Board also voted to direct the administration to develop a five-year calendar for 2005-2010.
#