It’s safe to say that summer break has officially started for the majority of school districts across the country. For most kids, that means no homework, no tests, and most importantly, no getting up at the crack of dawn.

But while the next two months are a reprieve for many youngsters (whether the hiatus does more harm than good is another story) it certainly doesn’t mean district administrators and board members get to relax, as I explained to a close friend just the other day.

“You mean stuff still happens over the summer?” he asked naively. Yes, I replied, summer is often the time when districts can finally catch up or get ahead on important projects, take advantage of professional development opportunities, and plan for the future.

One school board I covered as a beat reporter always went on board retreats in July. And during a multi-year capital improvement project, district officials used the summer as a time to do renovations and additions to existing buildings.

Freed from the day-to-day distractions that occur during the school year, district officials can focus on the big picture, on things that may not be critical but matter nonetheless.

So, I’m curious. What do you spend your time doing during the summer? Tell us; we’d like to know.

Naomi Dillon, Senior Editor