Schools

Cobb School Board Adopts Balanced Calendars

Early August start dates will continue for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years.

The Cobb Board of Education revisited the school calendar issue again on Thursday. 

But unlike recent years that roiled with controversy, the board didn't change its mind.

By a familiar 4-3 vote, the board voted to adopt "balanced" calendars with early August start dates and more frequent breaks for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years in the Cobb County School District.

Voting in favor of the balanced calendar were board members David Banks, David Morgan, Brad Wheeler and Randy Scamihorn. 

Voting against, and advocating a "traditional" calendar with a week later start date in August and fewer breaks, were Scott Sweeney, Tim Stultz and Kathleen Angelucci. 

The 2014-15 school year will begin on Aug. 4, 2014, and end on May 20, 2015. For the 2015-16 school year, the first day of school is Aug. 3, 2015, with the last day being May 25, 2015. 

Both calendars include a full week break in September, in addition to normal Thanskgiving and Christmas/New Year's breaks and spring break. 

(See "Version B" of each PDF attachment for the specific balanced calendar dates. "Version A" was the proposed traditional calendar option.)

Many of the familiar arguments were made during a lengthy board discussion. Sweeney, who has long advocated the traditional calendar, cited dips in attendance and volunteering at fall sporting events and other extracurricular activities. 

He said retired Lassiter High School band director Alfred Watkins told him "the fall break was a disaster" for the band program the week of the fall break.

Also favoring a later start date are key leaders of the Cobb business community who told The Marietta Daily Journal this week that the early start costs the county more than $20 million in tourism dollars and an estimated $210,000 in school SPLOST funds.

But Banks, an ardent supporter of the balanced calendar, said that among other things, at-risk students would be better served with a shorter summer. 

"For the minority community, the balanced calendar makes a whole lot of sense," he said. 

Parent Sarah Lyons urged the board not to be pressured by powerful business intrerests. 

"You're not elected by Six Flags Over Georgia," she said during a public comment period. 

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, who made no recommendation, admitted that "the community is split on this," and said the decision would be a "point of preference" for the board.

A newcomer to the discussion summed up for what many has become calendar fatigue. 

Board vice chairman Brad Wheeler, serving his first year in office, said he found strong support for the balanced calendar from constituents in his West Cobb post.

But more than anything, he said, there was a strong desire "not to go back and forth" on which calendar to adopt. 

The board revised its policy to adopt calendars in two-year increments to avoid having to do them during election years. 

The adopted calendars do not include possible furlough dates, which would be determined through the budget process later in the school year. 

"It would be extremely premature to talk about furlough days" now, said Scamihorn, the board chairman. "My hope is there won't be any, but to put them in now would be highly inappropriate."





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