First day of school changed to Aug. 14
The Warren County Board of Education went against the recommendation of its Calendar Committee and approved a school calendar Tuesday night that pushes back the first day of school.
After considerable discussion, the first day of school has been moved back to Monday, Aug. 14 with registration taking place the previous Friday, Aug. 11.
The schedule proposed by the Calendar Committee had school starting Aug. 8, but school board members Debbie Watlington and John Turner were adamantly opposed to beginning so early in August.
?As many calls as I got last year and y?all want to move it up one more day this year, I?ll have to take my phone off the hook,? said Turner. ?I guess people won?t complain anymore because they?ll be afraid you?ll move it up to Aug. 1.?
Turner wanted to start school in September, saying that?s always the way it was when he was in school. When school board member Mike Holland pointed out the results of a school system survey showed most people preferred an August start date, Turner didn?t hide his feelings.
?We all know that survey was bogus,? he said.
Director of instruction Bobby Cox emphasized the need to complete the first semester before Christmas break. Pushing back the start date to September would eliminate that option.
In making a motion to delay the start of school, Watlington didn?t propose a September start date.
?The intent would be to start in mid-August rather than the beginning of August,? said Watlington.
After discussing a variety of options, it was determined two days off on Oct. 2-3 would be days spent in school. Christmas break was also shortened.
The last day of school prior to Christmas break had been Dec. 15, which was an abbreviated day. It?s now Dec. 19, which is an abbreviated day.
The only change during the second semester is moving up spring break one week. Spring break will now start March 19.
?The swimming pool can thank me for this,? said Watlington after the new calendar was approved.
No changes were made to the proposed Bobby Ray Elementary calendar. Bobby Ray is the only school in the system that follows a 45-10 schedule.