The Calcasieu Parish School Board met Tuesday and approved the 2019-20 district school calendar. Though the motion passed unanimously, the calendar’s draft was met with some concern over the lack of a designated day for teacher planning and preparation.

Teri Johnson, president of the Calcasieu Federation of Teachers, asked the board to implement a specific day prior to the start of professional development sessions. “Once they go onto campus and the professional development starts rolling, a lot of information is pushed their way. I would rather them have their rooms ready.”

Tommy Campbell, chief academic officer, said that while a planning day was designated on the 2018-19 calendar, its actual implementation varied by campus due to the large amount of professional development required, ultimately defeating the purpose of its designation. The 2019-20 calendar, however, will prioritize professional development and place time for teachers to work in their classroom under the management of the principal.

“I believe our principals are concerned and compassionate. I think the principals will work, as they have in the past, to provide the time as they have it in their schedule.”

John Duhon, district 15, urged for a more official designation for teachers for overall success. “When you make it convenient for teachers you raise teacher morale and when you raise teacher morale I guarantee you raise test scores. If we don’t have a mandatory, set aside time for teachers to work in their room, I promise you it won’t happen in every school.”

Karl Bruchhaus, superintendent, said he will request that each principal turn in their allotted time schedule for classroom preparation ahead of time and will formally distribute the schedules to teachers and staff.

The board’s final action was the approval to re-name the Iowa High School gymnasium to the David Buller Gymnasium and the basketball court to the Coach Asa “Joe” Foreman court. The request came from a petition signed within the Iowa community.

Buller, was a U.S. Army veteran, earned three Purple hearts and was an educator. He coached basketball, football and was the high school principal before serving as the administrative director for CPSB high schools until his retirement.

Foreman was the head coach of all sports from 1952-1956, head basketball coach from 1956-1969 and principal from 1969-1984.