Fayette County chooses new school calendars

A majority of Fayette County teachers and staff prefer a school calendar with more days for professional learning. AJC file photo

A majority of Fayette County teachers and staff prefer a school calendar with more days for professional learning. AJC file photo

The Fayette County Board of Education has set its school calendar for the next two years.

In a 4-1 vote on Oct. 16, the board approved a schedule that has 90 days in each semester and three days of professional learning for teachers. The 2018-19 calendar begins Aug. 6 and ends May 24, with a four-day fall break and a five-day winter break plus week-long Thanksgiving and spring breaks and a two-week semester break.

The 2019-20 calendar begins Aug. 5 and ends May 22 with similar breaks.

Board member Brian Anderson voted against the calendars, saying comments he received from parents favored a full week off in February. Parents and students were part of the committee that devised the two options, but only teachers and staff were formally polled.