Vanderholm introduces "Balanced Calendar"

RITZVILLE — School Superintendent Don Vanderholm introduced the idea of year-round school, called "Balanced Calendar," to Lind and Ritzville School Board members May 26.

Vanderholm said when he first heard of the idea, he wasn't at all for it; but the data he looked at was all positive.

"It showed how kids go forward, then summer comes and they go further behind and the gap gets bigger," Vanderholm said. "With Balanced Calendar, the gap gets narrower."

Vanderholm said schools operating on the Balanced Calendar take a four-week break three times a year, or take two six-week breaks, so there wou...