Putnam BOE Sets School Calendar For Years 23-26

The Putnam County School Board approved its 2023-2026 school calendars Thursday night with minimal changes.

Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said a calendar committee created the package based on community feedback.

“The committee decided to use the format and keep the format with a two week fall break, the one week spring break, taking Easter Monday in addition to Good Friday and also to be in school on Veterans Day,” Pierce said.

Over 2,500 participated in the survey which included a mixture of parents, students, staff and the general community. Director of School Corby King said the big takeaway was how pleased people seemed to be with the current structure.

“The surveys result matched that they like that, so what the committee is bringing to us tonight is very similar to what we have had for the past several years,” King said.

School Board Member Kim Cravens said she supported being in school on Veterans Day. Cravens said she believes students learn more about the holiday through programs at school.

“I do appreciate y’all looking at Veterans Day just because I know we get some calls and complaints and you can’t make everyone happy,” Cravens said. “I think they get the just of it much better in school and the programs. All of our schools do such a good job to honor our veterans and for those kids who have parents and grandparents and invite them in.”

King said absences will be excused on Veterans Day if you have a family member you want to celebrate at a different event.

In other business, the architectural firm in charge of the Park View School project is preparing the final contracts.

Upland Design Group’s Kim Chamberlin said he expects the paperwork to come in sometime next week. Chamberlin said he will work with King to set the notice to proceed and a ground breaking in the near future.

The school board also approved the contract for soil testing at the Lee Seminary Road site.

The school board approved moving forward with a K-4 school last week. That’s a downsize from the original plan of a K-8 due to funding limits.