New school year proposed, put to vote

Nicholas ZarchenStaff WriterThe Santa Monica-Malibu California Teachers’ Association (SMMCTA) recently voted on a district-proposed school calendar change for the 2011-2012 school year that could move the first day of school to the end of Aug., two weeks earlier than the normal start after Labor Day.According to teachers, the yearly start date has been in contention for some time.“When I remember [the calendar] first coming up, it was because we were ‘off’ with other districts,” AVID and English teacher Gilda de la Cruz said. “We always had students who wanted to take classes at SMC or students who needed to go do something at a college, and then the classes would start and we would still have a week to go.”The results of the vote are still being tabulated.“Currently there is no schedule change… but there are some suggestions of calendars for next year,“ History Department Chair and union representative Jaime Jimenez said.If the new calendar were to pass, the school year would move the end of the first semester to right before winter break. This new schedule would also allow students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes two more weeks of instruction prior to their tests in the spring.According to Superintendent Tim Cuneo, the pros of the new calender outweigh the cons.“School would end earlier in June, which would aid students in opportunities for work and summer schooling.The first semester ending prior to winter break is designed to help with testing,” Cuneo said. “It’s different; it means change.”As of right now, since the law requires the school district to negotiate with teachers on such matters, the teachers’ decision will determine how the school district will move forward with the 2011-2012 calendar.“Teachers say they love [the new calendar] and from talking to students, they prefer coming back early, but nothing is set in stone,” Jimenez said.According to Cuneo, the Samo Parent-Teacher Association is also in support of the new calendar.“My understanding is that the high schools and secondary schools don’t mind [the change] and have even advocated for the new plan,” I-House Principal Renée Semik said.For now, all other ideas for a new school year plan are at a standstill until teacher voting is complete.nzarchen@thesamohi.com