By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Schools and Bowling Green State University will share the same spring break in 2021 – but don’t get used to it.
It’s by chance, not by planning, that the city schools and university will both take the week off of March 22 to 26, Superintendent Francis Scruci said on Tuesday evening.
While that works out nicely for families with parents employed at BGSU – that isn’t the motivation for the scheduling. Scruci explained that contracts, professional development days, graduation and testing were all factors in setting the new calendar.
The board of education approved the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school calendars at the meeting.
The opening day of school next fall will be Aug. 26 – a week later than this year. Due to the negotiated contract, the teachers’ first day back to school can’t be any sooner than the third Friday in August, Scruci said.
For years, the district’s spring break has been the first full week in March – with the rationale being that having spring break early prevents students from being distracted by a break immediately prior to state testing.
Scruci acknowledge that by scheduling spring break later, it shortens the window to prepare students. However, it’s impossible to find ideal timing for the break, he said.
The team that developed the school calendar included three teachers and three administrators, including the executive director of teaching and learning.
The superintendent said that while the city school’s and university’s calendars match up now – that may all be a moot point if BGSU discontinues its short winter session.
Graduation is also factored in when setting the school schedule, Scruci said. The goal is to keep it on Memorial Day weekend to accommodate family members who travel to attend.
The last day for other students in 2021 will be June 3.
In other business Tuesday evening, the board acknowledged receipt about about $87,000 in grants, and another $6,697 in local donations.
