Michael Barber, the assistant superintendent for Pell City schools, said Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hathcock is expected to present the proposed calendar to the board at a special called meeting in June.
The board unanimously approved the 2012-2013 school calendar in March, but was forced to prepare a new calendar after state legislators passed a bill, requiring a delayed start of school.
Initially, the board approved an Aug. 7 school start for Pell City students, but state legislators approved a bill requiring school systems across the state to not begin the upcoming school year until Aug. 20.
Barber said school officials had to work with new perimeters and adjust the calendar schedule so students and teachers met state requirements.
The bill passed by legislators was to help extend Alabama’s tourism season, and state officials claimed it could generate as much as $22 million in tax revenue for the state.
Barber said to make up for the 14-day delay of the start of school, school officials proposed to cancel the 3-day fall break. Weather days are also eliminated in the newly designed school calendar.
He added that students could start winter break a little later this year. The winter break will begin Dec. 21, instead of Dec. 19, if the proposed calendar is approved by the Board. Students are expected to return from the winter break Jan. 3.
Students will receive the normal Labor Day, Veterans Day and Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee Holidays, if the proposed calendar is approved by the Board in June.
In accordance with the proposed calendar, spring break will remain in place for March 25-29, and the school system will recognized the Thanksgiving Holidays, Nov. 21-23.
The last day of school or graduation day is slated next year for May 23.
School officials say students must attend a minimum of 180 school days each year, or 1,080 hours of instruction.
In March, the school board approved a resolution that officially opposed the school start legislation. The board sent the resolution to local state delegates and to the Governor.
Contact David Atchison at datchison@dailyhome.com.
