The Fulton County School System is currently reviewing several options for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school year calendars. After a month of public input and discussion, the school board decided, by consensus, to narrow the choices to two calendar options – Calendars A-I and A-II and Calendars B-I and B-II. Final approval on one of the options is expected at the October 22 meeting.
To create the proposed calendars, a 17-member panel of parents, school leaders and central office administrators reviewed school board policy, testing dates, major religious and national holidays, and also examined new state calendar guidelines. Beginning this year, the Georgia Department of Education now allows school system to adopt calendars outside of the previously-required 180 days as long as the total minutes and hours equal that of a 180-day school year.
Below are the calendars currently being considered by the school board. Click the bolded text to view.
Calendar A-I (2010-11) and Calendar A-II (2011-12)
· Calendar Committee recommendation
· First semester ends prior to Winter Break
· Calendar includes 177 days
· Semesters are almost evenly balanced; 88 days in first semester and 89 days in second semester
· First day of school for 2010-11 is August 16 – 3rd week in August (1 week later than 09-10). First day for 2011-12 is August 15.
· Professional learning days are prior to pre-planning days
· Saves district approximately $1.1 million per year
· Extra 10 minutes per day allows 8.85 more instructional hours per year in addition to elimination of current Early Release Days
Calendar B-I (2010-11) and Calendar B-II (2011-12)
· Calendar includes 177 days
· First day of school for 2010-11 is August 23 – 4th week in August (2 weeks later than 09-10). First day for 2011-12 is August 22.
· First semester ends prior to Winter Break
· Professional learning days prior to pre-planning days
· Semesters are not evenly balanced; 83 days in first semester and 94 days in second semester (11 days difference)
· Saves district approximately $1.1 million per year
· Extra 10 minutes per day allows 8.85 more instructional hours per year in addition to elimination of current Early Release Days
