School district adopts 'balanced calendar'

Citing an unprecedented opportunity to do what is best for students, the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education voted March 15 to adopt a balanced calendar for the 2022-23 school year. 

The option was one of two choices presented to the board, supporting an additional 10 days of enriched learning time for students. It includes a three percent pay increase for educators, which comes in addition to the seven percent pay increase passed by the New Mexico Legislators and signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham earlier this year. 

The biggest difference between the two options the board voted on was summer breaks. The traditional calendar included an eight-week summer break; the balanced calendar provides a six-week summer break and one- and two-week breaks scheduled throughout the school year to address burnout and pandemic-related trauma reported by educators and families. 

The 2022-23 school year starts July 21, 2022.  Kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students will start classes July 20 to allow for a smooth transition. Transition dates for pre-kindergarten will begin Tuesday, May 10, for children and families to learn about kindergarten. 

“Our board has set the course for doing something different for students that this district has never done before,” LCPS Superintendent Ralph Ramos said. “The time is now, and the success of this plan happens through shared leadership and collaboration with our unions, parents and students to do what’s best for kids.”   

“We have an opportunity to foster innovation,” said LCPS Board President Ray Jaramillo. “We get hammered that we are 50th in the nation when it comes to education, yet we don’t want to do anything to change it. I hope that after we finish talking (about the calendar options), we know how lucky we are to have millions of dollars available to us to make this happen.”

“We have been through so much in this pandemic,” board member Pamela Cort said. “Opportunities like these show our commitment to students to bring a diverse curriculum inside our classrooms. Our community will rally around education.” 

“These student programs truly help us grow our own future workforce,” board member Carol Cooper said. “Kids get to literally put their hands on learning. That does not always happen inside a traditional classroom.”   

“Like everyone else on the board, I received a tremendous amount of feedback from families about these options,” board member Bob Wofford said. “Any decision we make will not be ideal for everyone, but as a board, we are committed to ensuring the success of all students. This is the first step in that direction.”  

“It doesn't happen that easily,” board Vice President Teresa Tenorio said, “and we’ve experienced it as we re-engaged with students coming out of remote learning. What I see is an opportunity that will bring students to the classroom with enthusiasm.”  

Tenorio also expressed concern about accommodating parents who addressed the board at the March 15 meeting and in emails about prior commitments that were made when school was expected to start in August. The board urged LCPS administration to be flexible with families who have summer plans as the calendar begins.

“We are committed to remaining flexible to families in this transition to a balanced calendar,” said Deputy Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, Leadership and Research Wendi Miller-Tomlinson, Ph.D. “The board’s decision is an important step to expanding learning opportunities for students.”

LCPS is at work on a list of frequently asked questions that will assist families in the transition to the new calendar. The FAQ is expected to be available April 15.

Visit https://www.lcps.net/.