Ankeny School Board Votes to Push Back First Day of School

Ankeny students and parents will get a couple extra days of summer vacation this year.

The Ankeny school board approved two changes to the completed 2012-13 academic calendar at its meeting Monday night. Changes included the first day of school in 2012 moving from Monday, Aug. 13, to Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The district also modified the dates of spring break to March 15-22.

 “Spring break has been aligned with other CIML Conference schools, as well as the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa,” said Superintendent Matthew Wendt.

The revisions to the calendar are a result of a meeting held between members of the district’s calendar committee, select board members and the administration, Wendt said.

Both board members and residents at Monday’s meeting expressed displeasure with the current start date for the Ankeny school district.

“The trend seems to be starting earlier and earlier every year,” said Dan Horner, an Ankeny resident who spoke during Monday's meeting. He encouraged the district to delay the first day of school until after the Iowa State Fair, which was held Aug. 11-21 last year. This year's fair dates are Aug. 9-19.

“I would really like to be able to take my family to most days of the fair without pulling them out of school,” Horner said.

Horner also told the board he researched other schools in Polk County and said he found none that start during the State Fair.

Wendt disagreed. “My inbox, which contains emails from other superintendents in the county, would indicate something different and I can provide those to the board,” he told members.

Board member Stephanie Jorgensen said she was frustrated with the district’s current calendar.

“I’ve received comments from parents who had complaints about the late start each Wednesday and how it affects working parents,” she said.

Jorgensen said she would like to see the board talk about what direction the district should take the 2013-14 calendar before it goes to the calendar committee. She also asked to be placed on the calendar committee.

Discussions about the 2013-14 academic calendar should begin this spring.