WS/FCS seeks feedback on three academic calendar options for next year

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is looking for feedback regarding three potential academic calendar options for next school year.

North Carolina legislation states that students can’t start school before the Monday closest to August 26.

But WS/FCS officials say following that rule means students won’t be able to take their exams until after a two-week long winter break. 

Some Board of Education members, like Vice Chair Alex Bohannon, expressed concerns about that in a meeting last week. 

“I think that's the biggest piece of feedback I hear is the Christmas piece, and the holiday break, and how it'd be nice to have a clean break between the semesters," Bohannon said. 

The district had already created two calendar options in compliance with the state legislation. But at the direction of the school board, officials drafted a third, which would include an earlier start and finish date, with exams scheduled before winter break. 

The district would need to request a waiver from the state in order to start school earlier, and without one, general counsel Dionne Jenkins says there could be legal issues. She referenced a lawsuit filed against the Union County Board of Education after members voted to start school on Aug. 9.  

“It was filed by some businesses that felt as though their business was negatively impacted by the board adopting a calendar that started earlier than normal," she said. "And so there could be some financial claims.”

The district is looking to hear from parents, students, and staff on the three academic calendar options for next year. A survey and a more detailed look at each option is available on the district’s website. 

The last day to submit feedback is Dec. 22.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.