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Attached for your review are two proposed traditional calendar options for the 2008–09 school year. Both calendar options are in compliance with board guidelines and House Bill 1464 that outlines the criteria for public school calendars. Please be reminded that school cannot start before August 25 and must end by June 10; there must also be 180 days of instruction and not more than 215 teacher days.
During the 2008-09 school year, the Christmas holiday falls on a Tuesday which, by state law, requires that an extra holiday be added to the calendar, this is offset by one fewer workdays.
- Option 1 features an August 26, 2008 start and a June 10, 2009 end date. This option features:
- Fairly equal semesters
- Teacher workdays allocated throughout the year – including one in February to break up the long winter period
- A vacation day on Nov 26 (prior to the Thanksgiving holiday)
- A two-week winter break
- Five vacation/holidays for spring break
- Two days that schools could mandate as workdays
- Option 2 features a September 2, 2008 start and a June 10, 2009 end date. This option features:
- A post-Labor Day start
- Fairly equal grading periods
- Limited time for eighth grade students to prepare for the state mandated computer skills test (usually administered the first week of October)
- No make-up days during the school year (stacked at the end)
- Increased financial liability with regards to teacher pay dates – paid for a full month in August before they actually begin work in September
- Two days that schools could mandate as workday
The calendar committee unanimously endorses Option 1. Members include: Sonya Conway, District Relations; Steve Friddle, Financial Services; Carla Alphin, Human Resources; Bill Hurt, Academic Improvement; Beth Jennings, Transportation; Misty Danley, Maintenance; Eddie Hamblin, Student Assessment; Doyle Craven, Student Assignment; Elizabeth Biester, ESOL; Mayra Hayes, ESOL; Donna Bell, Facilities; Heather Larkin, Operations; Mark Jewell, Guilford County Association of Educators; Deborah Mauser, Guilford County Council of PTAs.
Additional input was garnered from GCAE school representatives during their October 17 meeting; Option 1 received their unanimous endorsement with the request that the board consider:
- Removing the S2 designation on 12/22
- Moving the 9/16 early release day to 9/23; moving the 10/15 early release day to the 10/22
Attachment #1 - Option 1
Attachment #2 - Option 2
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