Calendar set for Burke schools
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

The people spoke and the Burke County Board of Education listened.

The BOE set the school calendar for the 2007-08 term at their monthly meeting last week after hearing the preference of school personnel, parents and students.

The calendar they selected was the overwhelming favorite among the more than 600 people who weighed in on the matter.

The approved calendar schedules the school year to begin Aug. 7 and wind up May 23.

The calendar includes at least one day of vacation each month during the school year.

Students get a three-day vacation in the fall, in addition to the long Thanksgiving weekend break. They also don't come back from Christmas vacation until the second week in January.

The board gave faculty and staff an opportunity to choose their favorite from among three proposed calendars.

The calendars were also posted on the school system's website to give parents a chance to cast their vote.

The calendar the board approved received some 400 votes more than the other options.