The proposed 2023-24 school calendar for Mineola ISD will get a second look.

After debating the merits of the school year ending earlier than usual on May 17, the school board asked the administration to take another look.

The chief concern was the possibility that, if no bad weather days are needed, school would end on Friday, May 17, a full week before graduation May 24.

And even if the bad weather days do need to be used between May 20-23, trustees and administrators expressed concern that attendance could be low those days.

Superintendent Cody Mize explained that two possible calendars were developed, and the vote was close among the staff – 52% to 48% – on which one to go with.

Unlike this year’s calendar, which had four days built in for bad weather, the proposed calendar has no extra days. Any bad weather would be made up, essentially, after the scheduled end of the school year.

The calendar was favored by some because it allows the first semester to be completed prior to the Christmas holidays.

Mize said the district also looked at reducing the number of teacher in-service days in an effort to create a more professional work environment as a means of competing with neighboring districts who are going to a four-day school week.

Mize said he is not opposed to the 4-day plan, but he wants to see data showing better student outcomes.

“I have not seen that demonstrated anywhere in the state,” he said.

He said teachers, who are focused on the students, have told him that 4-day school weeks are not best for their pupils.

Districts are going to the 4-day week to help retain staff. Mize said it is the culture that retains people.

The two calendars featured start dates of Aug. 16 or Aug. 17 and school resuming after the holidays on Jan. 3 or Jan. 4.

Trustees wrestled with suggestions on how better to use the week of May 20-24 before deciding to table the matter for the March board meeting.