February 10, 200620 yr Broward County schools could open Aug. 14 after all this year, following a surprise turnaround by School Board member Beverly Gallagher. After voting with the 5-4 majority on Tuesday to start school on Aug. 9, she switched gears on Thursday. "I would like to bring back the calendar issue for reconsideration ... [at] the next board meeting," Gallagher, of Pembroke Pines, wrote in an e-mail sent to the schools superintendent and others. The Tuesday decision angered the audience of parents, most of whom had lobbied for a later date. Gallagher wrote that angst over her vote to support the Aug. 9 start date led her to have trouble sleeping Tuesday and Wednesday night. "If I were not disappointed in myself, I wouldn't be lying awake at night," she wrote. Gallagher wrote that she hoped her switch would keep the board from losing "credibility with the community." Gallagher was a parent activist before her election to the School Board in 2000. If no other board members alter their votes, Gallagher's switch would clear the way for school to start Aug. 14. One board member who voted on the opposite side of Gallagher on Tuesday said she was thrilled to learn of the change of heart. "I applaud her courage," said Stephanie Kraft. "It takes a big person to take a step back." Kraft said she would be glad to vote for Aug. 14, and would refrain from pushing for her first choice of Aug. 21 as a sign of goodwill toward Gallagher. Board member Maureen Dinnen said she voted for the Aug. 9 date because it created equal semesters that would allow students to take exams before winter break. Her opinion remains unchanged, she said Thursday. "I based my position on the information I was presented," she said. "It wasn't a popularity contest." The Aug. 14 start date also would allow students to take mid-year exams before winter break, but would disrupt the traditional pay schedule for teachers and school staff. Jeanne Jusevic, of Coconut Creek, said she was "very pleased that Mrs. Gallagher had a change of heart." "It was a big surprise to me that she didn't listen to the parents [Tuesday]," said Jusevic, whose children attend Lyons Creek Middle School and Monarch High School. "It was apparent to me that this was a huge struggle for her." Moving the start date to Aug. 14 "at least gives us those first two weeks of August as family time," said Jusevic. Ten Stallings, an eighth-grader at Miramar's Glades Middle School, said she and her friends like starting later in August. "The only good thing I see about starting early is that it's good for FCAT," Stallings said. Supporters of an early start date note that it gives schools more time to prepare for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. I agree 100%. It's not easy to change your vote like that, she has alot of guts.
February 10, 200620 yr wow the sun-sentinel finally got this story 24 hours after the Herald first posted it online
February 10, 200620 yr Its a good move. It will calm some parents who want more time, and it isnt as extreme as the end of the month.
February 10, 200620 yr i agree great move...the earlier the school year starts, the more likely they will miss more time due to hurricanes and other such stuff
February 10, 200620 yr Last school year worked out nicely when I believe they started in mid August as well. This year was just ghey, and Wilma made it even gheyer.
February 10, 200620 yr Pretty soon they're going to want school started in July. Actually you get hte feeling pretty soon they'll haave year round schooling with two long breaks (Winter and Summer) Something like: Mid February-Late July; Early September-Mid January
February 10, 200620 yr Pretty soon they're going to want school started in July. Actually you get hte feeling pretty soon they'll haave year round schooling with two long breaks (Winter and Summer) Something like: Mid February-Late July; Early September-Mid January The problem with that is that the only people who want year round schooling are the people who aren't parents, students, or teachers.
February 11, 200620 yr Pretty soon they're going to want school started in July. Actually you get hte feeling pretty soon they'll haave year round schooling with two long breaks (Winter and Summer) Something like: Mid February-Late July; Early September-Mid JanuaryI get the feeling pretty soon they'll push for it. But we'll never see it.
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