HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After tabling an earlier version in February, the Hutchinson School Board Monday approved a 2018-19 calendar that replaces 19 early-release days for K-6 students with five full-day professional development/planning time days.

The previous calendar had eight full-release days for elementary students. This calendar drops two of those days and makes a third an early-release day.

School for pre-kindergarten through ninth grade begins on Aug. 16. Sophomores through seniors report on Aug. 17. Students will have Nov. 21 to 23 off for Thanksgiving and a two-week block (Dec. 24, 2018, through Jan. 4, 2019) off for Christmas-New Year’s. Spring break will be March 25 to 29, 2019. Hutchinson High School graduation is May 19, 2019, with the final day for students on May 22, 2019.

Click here for the 2018-19 academic calendar.

Before Monday’s board meeting, members saw a demonstration of Clear Touch interactive displays. Clear Touch is the next generation of interactive classroom technology the district will employ to replace electronic whiteboards that are at or beyond normal life expectancy for the technology.

During the meeting, members voted to spend just under $940,000 of capital outlay and special education funds to buy 205 Clear Touch Interactive Displays. The purchase price is less than the state-negotiated price for the technology and includes training.

The Board also tabled a request for three additional secondary courses for 2018-19. Members had concerns about a project-based learning elective focused on Boy Scout merit badges at Hutchinson Middle School. Board members wanted to make sure the district had proper permission to use the Boy Scout materials.

They also voted 4-3 against making a Project Gemini II application with the Kansas State Department of Education. Project Gemini II allows districts to reimagine and redesign schools, and district applications need at least one elementary and secondary school involved in the application.