Columbia County Schools -
For more information contact Karen Ribble at 541-0650
ext. 204
Columbia County
for 2007-2008 School Calendar
Board modifies start date after public input
The Columbia County Board of Education unanimously gave final approval for the 2007-2008 calendar based on input from employees and parents since their March 14 decision. The Board modified Calendar B by only two days-adding one holiday in October and adding one holiday to the Christmas break. The 2007-2008 calendar will move the school start date to August 13 and end on May 22 but still keep final exams before the Christmas break. The features of this calendar will also serve to guide calendar development for the next three years.
While there were over 5000 responses collected for the calendar survey, not one of the three calendars showed an overwhelmingly majority. However, the breakdown of the results by demographics did show that over 60% parents supported a later start date in August. The Board had tentatively approved calendar B at the last Board meeting but asked for additional comments from the general public before making a final decision on March 28.
A calendar committee made up of parents, teachers, business and clergy members, and high school students was charged to develop calendar options beginning with the 2007-2008 calendar. The committee narrowed the choices down to three calendars that addressed specific issues, while complying with state law that mandates 180 day school year for students. A survey was conducted between February 12-26 with 1294 in favor of Calendar A (Aug. 23), 1926 in favor of Calendar B (Aug. 15), and 1864 in favor of Calendar C (Aug. 6).
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