School’s out most Mondays

More changes are coming to the 2026-2027 school year in Willow Springs. In addition to the shift away from the block schedule, a new school calendar makes a four-day school week the norm next year. The school board unanimously approved a hybrid calendar that was overwhelmingly the preference of the school staff, the board heard. The calendar, as presented, was the one chosen by staff vote. The other calendar, presented to the board in December, essentially mirrored the current school year calendar. 

 

The 2026-2027 calendar adds nine minutes to the school day. The 156-day school year offers 1,140 instructional hours.

 

School is not out every Monday without fail, however. For instance, December 2026 has two five-day weeks of school scheduled followed by two weeks off for Christmas break. Generally speaking, students will be in school the last Monday of the month. 

 

The complete schedule can be found at WillowBears.com. 

 

Also during the Jan. 12 meeting, the board installed a new student representative to the board. Junior Grady Friga replaces senior Tobie Brotherton. Friga will attend school board meetings and give presentations on campus doings from a student perspective. 

 

As part of the consent agenda, the board accepted several resignations: Carl Lewis, maintenance, Heather Miller, middle school teacher, and Vernieca Leurssen, Joey Barbrow, and Kendra Barbrow, elementary teachers.

 

In other discussion:

-Board Vice President Matt Hobbs had questions about a $15,000 boiler repair from the consent agenda. Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence said he would find out more and provide that information. Hobbs noted he had not asked Spence for this information prior to the meeting. 

-The Middle School Student Leadership Committee gave a presentation on their activities this year. 

-Curriculum Director Chris Waggoner presented the district scorecard. 

-Dr. Spence advised the board that the current PTO policy does not reflect the district’s current practice. Either the practice or the policy should change. 

-Kelly Lowe gave a financial update and introduced proposed budget cuts of $1.6 million. For more on those cuts, click here. The balance of all funds was reported as $1,393,336.78. Last month, the balance was $921,151.72 and the balance one year ago was $1,521,314.49.