District 196 Administration Requesting To Add December 23 To Winter Break In Response To Staffing Shortages

Press release from Independent School District 196:

December 3, 2021

District 196 administration will request the School Board to approve an additional day of winter break in response to critical staffing shortages across the district. The proposal seeks to change Thursday, Dec. 23, to a non-school day for all students and employees, beginning winter break one day earlier than the original calendar.

The board will review the proposal at a special board meeting to be scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages have impacted day-to-day operations. And data suggests the impact of these shortages on Dec. 23 will make operating our schools challenging. Since the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, 36 percent of absences across employee groups have gone unfilled, compared to 12 percent pre-pandemic. Employees have regularly taken on responsibilities beyond the scope of their positions, and students and families have continued to deal with increased challenges.

Superintendent Mary Kreger also acknowledged that this year’s winter break is shorter than previous breaks, and said families and employees have expressed support for adding a day to winter break.

The district is exploring child care and meal program options to ensure families receive necessary support on Dec. 23 if the board approves a change in the school calendar. District administration will send a message to families following the School Board action on Tuesday evening.

This press release was produced by Independent School District 196. The views expressed here are the author’s own.