PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Major calendar changes are on the way for Pine Bluff Schools.
Starting next school year, the staff and students will head back earlier in the summer, and have more breaks throughout the year.
It's a move several districts are considering.
As the junior class president, Xzaeviun Sims said he always keeps up with changes coming to Pine Bluff High School. Most recently, the big change has been a new calendar for the next school year.
"I'm happy for the new schedule. You know, it increases retention, which improves test scores. Better test scores [equals] more funding for our schools, a better school a better community," Sims explained.
Last week the school board voted on the early start schedule— choosing to create a longer school year with more breaks along the way.
"We're hoping it will help with student attendance and teacher attendance by providing more breaks," said Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree.
The district polled the community for weeks ahead of the board's decision on the new schedule.
"We got over 600 responses, which is a huge deal for us. And of the responses, the majority chose a nontraditional calendar," Barbaree explained.
However, with the positive response, also came some concerns. The school has already been working to address issues like continued food availability and child care over extended off-season breaks.
"We have worked with the child nutrition unit. And we're trying to create some types of grants," Barabree said, "We're looking to partner with our local boys and girls club in different churches to see if there's an opportunity to offer intervention-type classes at those places."
While not everyone wants summer school, others have already been warming up to the idea of it
"Let's hope it stays the same when it regards our bail schedule, but academic schedule, I'm confident," Sims added.
Students are scheduled to head back for the next school year on July 31, 2024.