BCSC approves new calendar

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has approved its three-year calendar that will result in school starting about a week later next fall.

The BCSC school board on Monday voted 6-0, with board member James Persinger absent, to adopt the calendar. School will start Aug. 8 for the 2018-19 school year, based off a recommendation from a subcommittee.

A panel of 14 members — representing businesses, parochial schools, athletics departments and parents — evaluated the proposed calendar changes on a survey that drew more than 4,800 responses, said Teresa Heiny, assistant superintendent for human resources. The subcommittee was formed by the district’s Business Advisory Council.

Changes to the district’s three-year calendar will result in Thanksgiving break being shortened from a full week to three days starting next fall, Heiny said.

The survey found that 52 percent of respondents indicated they would support reducing the number of days for Thanksgiving break if it would allow school to start later in August. The changes also mean that the guaranteed spring break will be held on the second week of break rather than the first, meaning that any snow make-up days would come off the first week, Heiny said.

The recommendation from the subcommittee didn’t result in any further modifications by school board members.

BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts said he supports the calendar changes, based on the feedback that was received.

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Under the approved calendar, instruction will begin and end on the following days:

  • 2018-19: First student day, Aug. 8; last student day, May 30
  • 2019-20: First student day, Aug. 7; last student day, May 28
  • 2020-21: First student day, Aug. 6; last student day, May 26

Fall break will be on the following days:

  • 2018-19: Oct. 8-12
  • 2019-20: Oct. 7-11
  • 2020-21: Oct. 5-9

Winter break will be on the following days:

  • 2018-19: Dec. 24-Jan. 6
  • 2019-20: Dec. 23-Jan. 5
  • 2020-21: Dec. 23-Jan. 4

The guaranteed week of spring break will be on the following days:

  • 2018-19: March 18-22
  • 2019-20: March 16-20
  • 2020-21: March 15-19

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