Year-round school vote nearing

GAINESVILLE - Parents and teachers in the Gainesville School System will be asked to vote later this month on on year-round schools. Meanwhile, the question of year-round schools will be the subject of a meeting Monday night at Gainesville Elementary School.

Dr. Shirley Whitaker, special assistant to the superintendent for special activities, will make a presentation at 6:00.

Dr. Whitaker said last November a calendar committee has settled on a plan that calls for 45 days of classes followed by a three-week break, year-round. "Two of those weeks can be used for intercession, either to give remediation or enrichment to students, if they so choose," she said at the time.

Dr. Whitaker says 70 percent of parents would have to approve the change, which would take effect in 2006-2007.

"And, our board of education has said they would like to have a least 18 months notice before we ever change."

Meanwhile, the 2005-2006 school year will be a "traditional" one, with classes beginning August 8 and ending May 19.

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