Cindi McDonald has been named to the Iowa Department of Education's Instructional Time Task Force.

McDonald, an Associate Superintendent for School Improvement with the Waukee Community School District, was one of 16 Iowans chosen to serve on the committee charged with studying issues such as the school start date, length of the school day and school year, and after-school programming.

In a news release from the Iowa Department of Education, director Jason Glass said the task force will make decisions on topics impacting education across the state.

“Time in school should be thought of as a variable that can be applied differently to each student," said Glass. "Some students do just fine with a traditional 180-day calendar. Other students need something different and something more.  Extending school time also is one of the most costly school reforms, so we should be thoughtful in using it.”

The task force will meet on July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grimes State Office Building. Task force meetings are open to the public.