The academic calendar for the 2017-2018 school year will be presented to the Board of Trustees for adoption on March 22.

Community and faculty voting for the new 2017-2018 calendar concluded on Feb. 24 with 51 percent of community voters choosing option two. The option was also selected by 59 percent of the district faculty.

If adopted, the new calendar would start the school year four days earlier than the past school years on Aug. 21, and place two four-day weekends– one in the fall on Oct. 6, and one in the spring on Feb- into the school year. 16. It would also end the first semester earlier than previous school years–students will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 20th and will return on Monday, Jan. 8th.

District calendars are changed every two years to accommodate the needs of the community.

“We review the calendar every two years, collect feedback from community and make changes if needed,” superintendent Ted Moore said. “We hope the calendar will support the academic program and be a satisfier to our community.”

Even with a new date for the end of the first semester, there is no apparent effect on semester exams.

“I don’t foresee the calendar impacting finals next year,” principal Chris Mayfield said.    “Although we haven’t set next year’s final exam schedule, the new calendar shouldn’t impact that.”