Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Fayette school board rejects state bid to set later start dateBy LEE WILLIAMS A General Assembly bill that would dictate when school would start and end has drawn fierce opposition from members of the Fayette County Board of Education. In a 4-0 vote Monday, the board agreed to forward a resolution to local state legislators voicing its opposition to House Bill 285. Board member Greg Powers did not attend the meeting. Its really a slap in the face to the local jurisdiction, I believe, board member Lee Wright said of the proposed law. The first day of school for Fayette County students begins Aug. 9 and ends May 27. But If HB 285 becomes state law, Fayette County school officials could be forced to toss their old calendar and start over. According to HB 285, the board would establish a start date for the school year for elementary and secondary schools of the state no earlier than the last Monday in August and no later than Wednesday after Labor Day. This would mean schools in Fayette County would start no earlier than Aug. 29 and no later than Sept. 6. Fayette County Superintendent of Schools John DeCotis recommended the board nix the idea. This topic is controversial, DeCotis said. DeCotis indicated a loss in tourism dollars from venues such as Six Flags Over Georgia and places near the coast coupled with concerns from parents who feel the summer break is not long enough are driving the changes. If they change it, then were going to go ahead and do what we have to do, DeCotis said. But, he added, the changes could be problematic for students and teachers who take college courses during winter or summer breaks. Last year, the board adopted the current school calendar which, officials say, has yielded positive results. DeCotis indicated officials have noticed a marked reduction in student disciplinary problems and improved teacher attendance rates under the new calendar and he does not want to lose the momentum. Board Chairwoman Terri Smith indicated she opposed the idea of revamping the calendar to appease people in the tourism industry. I had been under the understanding that the complaints are really coming out of employers, Smith said. That basically the Six Flags employees are having to go back to school. I dont think they need to be making decisions about what all the school children in Fayette County need based on what Six Flags needs out of its employees. |
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