The Macon County School Board approved the school calendar for the 2003 - 2004 school year, as proposed by the school calendar committee, during last Thursday night's School Board meeting.

After some discussion on possible solutions to the continuing scheduling problems, the School Board voted to approve the school calendar recommended by the calendar committee.

Next year's School Calendar will be the following:

Registration will be held on August 4

First day of school - August 6

Fall break will be October 13 - October 17

School resumes October 20

Veterans Day - no school - November 11

Thanksgiving Break - November 27 and November 28

Last day of school before Christmas - December 19

Christmas Break will be December 20 - January 4, 2004

School resumes - January 5, 2004

Martin Luther King Day - no school - January 19

President's Day - no school - February 16

Spring Break will be March 29 - April 2

School resumes - April 5

Election day - no school - May 4

Last day of school - May 20

In a related item, the Macon County School Board also voted to go to a 9 week grading period countywide.

"Since we are going to a 9 week calendar," Director Prock told the school board, "it seems that instead of a 6 week grading period, a 9 week period would be better. The students would be in school 9 weeks and then have fall break and then be in school 9 weeks and then be out for Christmas."

"There would be four grading periods of 9 weeks each. As far as my knowledge, all the principals agree with this."

Westside Principal David Flynn asked that a standardized progress report be developed and given out halfway through the grading period.

School Board member Mike Marshall made the motion that the schools begin using a 9 week grading period when school resumes this fall, with School Board member Gene Carter seconding the motion and all members voting in favor of the proposed change.

Remainder of business discussed will appear in next week's edition.