Obion County Board of Education
January 11, 2010

The school calendar committee met twice, the latest being November 12, 2009. This committee met diligently, taking various ideas for the 2010 – 2011 school calendar back to their respective schools for discussion with staff, and coming back with different school calendar requests. For the most part, members of the school calendar committee were the same as from prior years; therefore, our meetings were routine and focused on the task at hand. Parameters established and challenges for the committee were

• a preference for ninety (90) day semesters due to the high schools’ block schedule;
• continue the tradition of dismissing students for Fair Day;
• at least 150 days of instruction prior to TCAP testing; and
• unlike prior years, teachers requested that all five (5) staff development days be scheduled

The committee agreed upon and adhered to the parameters set in the development of the proposed calendar. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the proposed 2010 – 2011 school calendar for Board approval. Although we do not especially like the date set for the first day of school, with the change in TCAP testing affecting the elementary schools and the change to block scheduling affecting the high schools, beginning school on August 2, 2010 is the only real alternative. To allow the Board time for study, the proposed school calendar will not be an action item until the February 2010 meeting.

Board Retreat:

Staff Recommendation:

For study and analysis only – no Board action is required on this agenda item.