Officials OK unpopular, amended school calendar: Schedule in San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District set in spite of claims citing flawed process

Though the board’s vote for approval was unanimous, comments indicated friction remained among educators regarding the calendar, as many preferred the existing document.

Julee Flores, a teacher at Beresford Elementary School in San Mateo, encouraged the board to postpone a decision on the calendar, to grant the San Mateo Elementary Teachers Association, or SMETA, an opportunity to further deliberate toward greater consensus for the document to be approved.

Flores suggested the calendar selected by union leadership to negotiate over was so narrowly approved during a vote of union members, the issue likely deserved a recount.

She advocated in favor of officials delaying a decision “so voices of all eligible teachers can be heard and acknowledged.”

Sarah Bittle, a fifth-grade teacher at Highlands Elementary School in San Mateo, echoed that sentiment.

“I urge you to not approve the calendar,” she said.

Trustees postponed a vote on the calendar earlier this month, due in part to the concerns raised regarding the lack of support for the proposed calendar.

Trustees suggested though it was imperative to approve the document so community members could begin planning for the next school year.

Under the board’s approval, the first day of instruction is set to begin one week later, spring and fall breaks will be shortened by one week, and an extra week will be tacked onto the winter vacation.

Mary Lynagh, president of the San Mateo Elementary Teachers Association, said the proposed calendar was approved by union members per the normal process, meaning it was ripe for ratification by the board.

But she too acknowledged members of the union were not unanimously supportive of the proposed calendar.

“As you can imagine our members are divided on this issue, just as divided as their old calendars were. We recognize that it may take some time for some of our members to feel comfortable with this change,” she said. “SMETA will continue to reach out to our members for feedback to find a calendar that is ideal and look forward to working with the district to develop a calendar that works for teachers, parents, the district and children.”

More than 600 members of the school community signed an online petition advocating for the district to keep its current calendar, citing fears of students struggling to retain their lessons over extended breaks from the classroom, and expressing frustrations regarding the lack of input sought in the calendar development process.

Bittle noted the union separately agreed to alter its voting bylaws for calendar design in coming years, indicating her acknowledgment of a flawed system.

“To me, hearing there are new procedures taking place suggests something is wrong,” she said.

Though some members of the school board suggested they were sensitive to the concerns expressed by teachers and parents, ultimately trustees felt it was necessary to move ahead with approval of the calendar.

“It seems there were issues that weren’t resolved, but we’re left with this calendar,” said Chelsea Bonini, vice president of the board.

Trustee Audrey Ng said it was troubling to hear some of the comments made by teachers and parents regarding the calendar.

Board President Ed Coady said hopefully the next round of negotiations goes much more smooth, and is less painful for all parties involved.

Trustee Lory Lawson said she believed in the process which led to the calendar development, and made a motion leading to its ultimate approval.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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