Decorah Community Schools calendar set for 2016-17

The Decorah Community School Board has approved the 2016-17 academic calendar. Highlights include:

• August 24 – first day of classes
• September 26, 27 – no school, teacher inservice
• December 23 – January 2 – Winter Break
• April 14 – Spring Break (1 day)
• May 18 – last day of classes for seniors
• May 21 – Commencement
• May 25 – last day of regularly scheduled classes

The schedule will again include late starts on Wednesdays, beginning August 31.

The Board continued the same debate as last year regarding the advisability of holding Commencement on the same day as Luther College graduation.  Eventually, on 3-2 vote, the Board voted to support the May 21 date. School officials contend that a 10 day gap between the last day of classes and graduation for seniors can result in dangerous behavior, or at minimum, activities that could result in some seniors not participating in commencement.

The full calendar can be accessed via the District website.