Wednesday, March 6, 2002
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Wednesday, March 6, 2002 |
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BOE consensus: no earlier start By DAVE HAMRICK
Fayette County Board of Education members are leaning toward not starting school a week earlier in 2003-04, as has been discussed. Consensus of the board during informal discussions as part of a called meeting Monday was a preference for the first of two calendars proposed by a staff committee, but with two changes: elimination of a new fall break in September, and thus starting school in the same week it is currently starting, the second week of August. Both proposed calendars and related information are available on the board's Web site, www.fcboe.org. Click on the Calendars link for information, and board members' e-mail addresses also are available on the site if you want to comment on the calendars. "It's very important to have that extra week to prepare the schools," said board member Greg Powers in voicing his objection to the earlier start date with numerous construction projects going on. Board Chairman Mickey Littlefield objected to the September break because of its possible effect on fall sports. "I just think it would really cause problems," he said, pointing out that about 20 percent of each school's students are involved in fall extracurricular activities. And board member Janet Smola worried that teachers may not have enough time for summer training and continuing education with the 10-week summer break proposed in option one. But board members liked other proposals in option one, especially the idea of having a full week off at Thanksgiving. The proposed calendar also sets the winter break between semesters, eliminating the possibility of homework or projects over Christmas. Plans are to vote on the 2003-04 calendar at the board's March 18 meeting.
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