SANFORD — Student days off for teacher workshops or early release days for staff professional development spread throughout the school year could soon be a distant memory. The Sanford School Committee is poised to consider changing the time frame in which teacher professional development is delivered.

Instead of full days when classes aren’t scheduled or seven school days where there’s a two-hour early release, school may be let out one hour early one day every week starting next fall. If implemented, the late start on Thursdays at Sanford High School would also be eliminated.

The proposal to dismiss school an hour early each Wednesday was the subject of a survey by the school department. Superintendent David Theoharides in his weekly report said there were 141 respondents, 113 of whom supported the new calendar and 28 who disagreed. 

“Even with the overwhelming support for the new calendar, there were several concerns voiced about child care challenges,” said Theoharides. “We have been working with our Kids Club program to expand the opportunities for student participation for the one hour early release on Wednesdays.”

He said the department would be contacting the YMCA, the city’s recreation department and other potential after-school programs to see if they can expand their offerings.

In comments attached to the survey, parents brought up several points.

One said the children were excited about the proposed change.

Another disagreed. “I think a weekly early release may be more challenging for most people then an occasional early release throughout the year,” the parent said.

But another parent opined that it might be easier to arrange childcare on a consistent, weekly basis. 

“First of all, it would be difficult to arrange transportation home (or to) childcare every Wednesday,” said another person who went on to express the opinion that an hour of professional development for teachers wouldn’t be enough.

Theoharides said teachers will actually have two hours of professional development weekly even though students will be dismissed just one hour yearly, because there is an additional hour built into the teachers’ contract.

The School Committee will take up the issue April 6, when it votes whether to accept the school calendar for the school year that begins in September. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Sanford High School Library.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].