School year could end early for Wichita students

Wichita students could end the school year earlier than scheduled next month if district leaders approve a proposed calendar change and cost-cutting measure.

Superintendent John Allison has proposed moving the last day of school from May 24 to May 20, which would save the district about $400,000, according to an item on Monday’s school board agenda.

According to the agenda, the calendar revision is possible in the current school year because the district did not have to use any snow days. Even if the last day is moved to May 20, a Friday, students would still have the 1,116 hours of instruction mandated by state law, officials said.

Board members are expected to vote on the measure Monday.

If approved, May 23 would be changed to an in-service day for teachers, and May 24 would be a non-teaching duty day and the last day for Wichita teachers. Teacher pay and schedules already in place would not be affected by the calendar change.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "School year could end early for Wichita students."