In an effort to improve the learning environment for both students and teachers and get parents more involved, the Warren County R-III School District is introducing minor changes to the calendar for the 2016-17 school year.The board approved the schedule on a 6-0 vote during its monthly meeting Feb. 11. Member John Bradshaw was absent.Assistant Superintendent Aaron Jones says he worked collaboratively with the teachers organizations to develop a calendar that would best meet the needs of both the educators and students.One of the significant changes is to the structure of the parent-teacher conference days.“In the past we’ve had it to where the kids were out early one day and the teachers stayed late to meet with parents,” said Jones.He said the majority of the participation from parents came during the after-school hours anyway and having the teachers stay late was leading to tired faculty the following day.“Instead of interrupting several days of instruction during the week, we’re going to try having each of the buildings open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on designated nights,” said Jones.This will prevent students from having to dismiss early and teachers from staying extremely late.Another change to the calendar is the shifting of professional development days from the second to the first semester.“We’ve moved a couple of those days closer to the beginning of the school year in order to start implementing practices they are learning about in those days,” said Jones.Having the professional development days later in the year also puts them at risk of being used as makeup days for inclement weather cancellations.“If we have to make up snow days, those would be the first to go, and we don’t want the teachers to lose those important days in their schedules,” said Jones.He said the professional development days also were strategically planned on Fridays that included the following Monday off for students, providing several four-day weekends.In addition, students will have early release days every first and third Wednesday, beginning in September.Jones said one of the main priorities in creating the schedule is to find balance between the first and second semesters. For the 2016-17 calendar, the start date has been set for Aug. 11 and the last day is scheduled for May 17, which is 174 student days.Jones said there is talk among the Missouri Legislature of a potential statewide schedule change that would not allow schools to start before Sept. 1 in order to accommodate the districts where students are part of the workforce during peak tourism times. He said this only impacts areas like Branson or The Lake of the Ozarks.The one factor most impacting the district is the high number of rural students who participate in the Missouri State Fair. As it currently states, though, students are excused for missing days related to participation with the Fair.Warren County R-III