By Fred Guarino

The Selma Times-Journal

 

HAYNEVILLE — The 2012-2013 Lowndes County School Calendar meets the requirements of the state Legislature’s School Start Day Law while keeping the number of instructional days the same as last year — 180.

According to school board personnel, this was accomplished by changes within the calendar.

Legislation approved in May required school calendars for the entire state to begin after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day.

It was passed in hopes more tourism money would be generated due to a longer summer vacation for students and school system expenses would be cut with a shorter session.

At the Lowndes County Board of Education’s regular meeting held last week, the board approved a school calendar that starts classes on Monday, Aug. 20 and ends classes on Thursday, May 23.

“Our 2012-13 school calendar is based on the guidelines provided by the new School Start Day Law, which was passed by the Alabama Legislature,” Lowndes County School Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd said. “I am very pleased with the calendar, especially considering that we have not decreased the number of instructional days.”

According to the board, which voted unanimously to approve the calendar, it satisfies the required start date and end date for classes, as well as the number of days for students, 10-month employees, 11-month employees and 12-month employees.

The calendar reduces Thanksgiving break from five to three days; winter break from 10 to eight days; eliminates President’s Day as staff-development day and eliminates an inclement weather day.

It increases the Independence Day (one day) break for 12-month employees to an Independence break (three days). However, these are non-contractual days or unpaid days.

The board also approved school bus bids and will purchase two 72-passenger buses from Yancey Bus Sales at a cost of $75,819 each and a 48-passenger, special needs from Yancey Bus Sales at cost of $87,247.