March 29th,2024-COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Columbus Education Association’s agreement ensures teachers receive 40 hours of professional development during school hours, with seven professional development days and three records days scheduled on Wednesdays throughout the academic year. This arrangement is praised by the district’s Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Tonya Milligan, who emphasizes its benefits in professional growth and license renewal for teachers, ultimately reducing stress and benefiting students.
However, some parents, like Marisa LaPalomento, express concerns about the impact of frequent mid-week breaks on students’ learning continuity. LaPalomento notes that after these breaks, students often spend time catching up rather than advancing, which affects their educational experience. Additionally, the fixed schedule of “specials” like art and gym means that students consistently miss these classes when Wednesdays are off, without adequate makeup sessions. Moreover, the mid-week breaks present challenges for working parents who struggle with childcare arrangements, leading some families to leave the district due to the difficulty of managing childcare responsibilities.
