Austin Public Schools is looking for people to join calendar working groups to see if changing the calendar or start time would be viable for the district.

Superintendent David Krenz sent an email to community members seeking anyone interested in helping research a district-wide balanced calendar with breaks no longer than eight weeks and a start time for fifth- through 12th-graders of no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

Organizers of the 2014 calendar working group — which consisted of around 50 parents, teachers, students, school-board members and community members — recommended the district move forward with more in-depth research on the balanced calendar and early start time, which the board approved Jan. 26.

The new working group will be split into two smaller groups, one focusing on the start time and one on the balanced calendar. The district is asking anyone interested to participate — community members, parents, teachers, students middle-school age and up, and others. Group members can be in either or both groups. The meeting times will be determined once the groups are organized, but Krenz hopes to start the research no later than March 16. Group members are asked to attend every scheduled meeting so as not to miss important information. The working groups will determine how long the research will go and whether they will meet over the summer.

Anyone interested should contact Sharon Alms by Feb. 27 at 460-1900, or email her at sharon.alms@austin.k12.mn.us.