The Rocky View School Board of Trustees approved the 2012/2013 school calendar Thursday afternoon.

After reviewing the three choices presented to the board, and to teacher, student, and parent groups, and reviewing the feedback from said groups, a healthy round of back and forth discussion commenced.

Ward Three Trustee Don Thomas, who represents a chunk of Airdrie, suggested that the council go against the feedback, and adopt a plan that did not include the last day of operation before Christmas Break as a Professional Learning Day. He justified his decision due to the lack of engagement of anybody on the last day before a major holiday.

Ward Four Trustee Helen Clease, who represents Springbank and Bragg Creek areas countered with the idea that the board asked for feedback, and that the feedback cannot be ignored.

The feedback seemed to be the deciding factor in adopting a plan that 68 of 102 respondents preferred.

The new calendar will increase the operational days of the school year from 198 in the 11/12 school year to 200. Teachers will start the year back to work Tuesday August 28th, while students will return the first day after Labour Day, which will be Tuesday September 4th.

From Rocky View School's Website:

• Teachers first day Tuesday, August 28th (2 Organizational Days 2 Professional Learning Days)
• Students First Day after Labour Day Tuesday, September 4th
• 9 Professional Learning Days (6 School, 3 Community of Practice)
• Last day for students before Christmas Break Thursday, December 20th
• Friday, December 21st Professional Learning Day
• Two week Christmas break
• Friday, February 15th Professional Learning Day
• Family day week no school for students
• Easter break the week after Good Friday
• Last day elementary/middle schools Wednesday, June 26th
• Last day high schools Thursday, June 27th
• 199 Operational Days
• 182 Instructional Days (Elementary/Middle Schools)
• 183 Instructional Days (High Schools)

The Board also managed to approve the second read of the HCA Calendar Development Policy, but not without a minor hint of controversy.

Ward One Trustee Norma Lang was adamant that there should be a separate Committee to work with the Calendar Development Committee when it comes to the number of Professional Development days. She made a motion to remove a section that outlined a minimum number of PD days for the school year.

"I don't want to delete this because it isn't important," said Lang. "I think it's very important, and that it should have it's own committee to work in conjunction with the Calendar Development Committee."

The motion failed, but it spurred a secondary motion after the reading was approved that Superintendent Greg Bass work towards creating a committee, as per Lang's concerns as wishes. The motion was unanimously approved.