INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — With little discussion and no debate, the Indian River County School Board unanimously approved the school calendar for the upcoming 2012-13 year. The calendar features a full week off for Thanksgiving and end of term exams after Winter Break.
The committee responsible for crafting the calendar was not in total agreement, according to Director of Human Resources Denise Roberts, who was involved in the process. She said some had concerns about the calendar but those concerns were addressed once district staff presented supporting attendance data.
The 2012-13 school year will get started on Aug. 20 and end on June 6. Students will have the entire Thanksgiving week off from school and Winter Break will run from Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, through Jan. 4.
Final exams for the first semester will be held between Jan. 15 and 17.
Spring Break will be held March 25 through 29 and includes Good Friday, which is March 29.
Board Chair Jeff Pegler said he appreciated the work the committee had done on the calendar to accommodate the various competing interests. He encouraged the district’s staff to raise awareness of religious holidays that occur while school is in session.
As it is, teachers are instructed to not start new lessons or administer tests on such holidays as doing so would put those observing the holiday at a disadvantage.
Board member Claudia Jimenez asked Schools Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams to review the district’s attendance policy as it pertains to excused holiday observances and perfect attendance.
Students are not penalized for observing their religion’s holidays but it does count against perfect attendance, Jimenez pointed out.
Dr. Adams said she would investigate the policy and report back to the board.
