During a Tuesday afternoon virtual board meeting City Schools of Decatur announced the shortening of its school year for students by one week. The last day for seniors is moved from May 22 to May 15, while the last day for all others moves from May 29 to May 22.
Superintendent David Dude made the proposal, but the ensuing board vote was hardly unanimous. Three were in favor, with Heather Tell opposed and James Herndon abstaining.
The vote comes the same day that DeKalb County announced its own shortening, May 8 for seniors and May 15 for other grades.
Dude admitted the decision a tough one.
“I wouldn’t have even considered it if other districts weren’t doing it,” he said. “But [shortening the year] has become ubiquitous, so I felt we needed to make a move.”
He also pointed out that most of CSD’s teachers and staff (including himself) live in other school districts.
Nevertheless Tell said she opposed because the school year had already been truncated from the original June 2 end date due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Further as the district’s transitioned to online learning, the school week’s reduced from five to four days.
“I know we’re in a crisis,” she said, “but I’m concerned this might accentuate the crisis. “I don’t feel like this is best for the students and I feel this is in direct contrast to our goals.”
Though he didn’t oppose Herndon abstained because “I feel like we’re voting on stuff without hearing what the people in our district want.”
After the meeting he elaborated saying, “I wanted to know what the plan was for that extra week [after school closed]. I want to know about the extra summer support and other forms of learning to help parents who are dealing with [virtual classroom teaching].”
Dude said those plans would be forthcoming, but meanwhile the last day for teachers would not change. He said that teachers could possibly use the interim between the new and original end dates for professional development particularly in their online teaching skills. He added the time could also be used for teachers to regroup, to possibly return to their classrooms and prepare for next year.
During the same meeting CSD officially announced that Decatur High’s in-person graduation is canceled, both for May or anytime this summer. Dude did say that in a recent poll seniors expressed that while “recognition of [their] work in May would be acceptable [it wouldn’t replace] an actual in-person ceremony.”
Dude said the district is considering several scenarios, including assimilating graduation into 2020 Homecoming activities, or possibly holding a ceremony in the Decatur High Stadium during Thanksgiving or winter break.
CSD closed its schools on March 13 to prevent spreading of COVID-19 which to date has affected more than 12,000 Georgians, including 500 deaths.
