Process

• Steering Committee develops four-six options
• Full Committee representing all stakeholders refines drafts and selects two best calendars for each year
• Information will be shared with teachers and administrators
• Poll for all employees to state their preference
• Poll for community preference
• Poll results provided to Superintendent
• Recommendation to the School Board for approval

NC Law:  General Statute Section § 115C-84.2  (Revised 2003)

• 215 days total
• 14/15 teacher workdays
• 10 annual leave days
• 10/11 holidays
• Start no sooner than August 25
• Close no later than June 10
• 5 protected teacher workdays
• Veteran’s Day must be a holiday
• At least 7 optional workdays for accumulated leave 

CMS Policy and Regulation (Revised 5/12/05)

• Consistent with N.C. law
• Specifies use of teacher workdays
• Addresses holidays, inclement weather make-up days, Election Day, religious holidays and graduation requirements 

Instructional Focus on the Calendar

• Uninterrupted “chunks” of learning time
• Minimize loss of instructional time
• Testing issues and the calendar
• Even semesters for block scheduling (90 days)
• Maximize use of teacher workdays
• Placement of protected teacher workdays at the end of the quarter (within several days)
• Avoiding days with high absenteeism 

Other Considerations

• Aim to recognize major religious holidays representing diversity of community so as to minimize staff and student absenteeism (Another policy is in place to prohibit major tests or events on religious holidays when students are in school.)
• Aim to place make-up days where they are likely to be needed.  Use protected workdays and days after June 10 as last resort.  Recognize cutting into spring break is painful.
• Recognize need for winter break to be as long as possible.
• Consideration of federal holidays
• Timing of spring break