How Do You Feel about the Proposed DeKalb County School Calendar Changes?

The DeKalb County Schools board of education is asking for parental feedback as it mulls a decision to modify the school calendar.

Three proposed options for the 2012-2013 school calendar are on the table, and the board is asking parents to give feedback on each. The board wants to start school earlier in August and dismiss students an hour early on Wednesdays.

Start time in August ranges from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13 in the three options, which could impact summer vacation plans already in place. In 2010, school started Aug. 9.

Each of the options would dismiss students from school one-hour early on Wednesdays.

The board is expected to finalize the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year at the May 7 board meeting.

A look at the options

Option A:

• 1st semester runs Aug.1-Dec. 18 with a three-day weekend for Labor Day, a full week off in October and in November for Thanksgiving

• 2nd semester runs Jan. 3-May 29 with a three-day weekend for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a full week off in February (winter break) and April (spring break), and a three-day weekend for Memorial Day in May.

Option B:

• 1st semester runs Aug. 6-Dec. 20 with a three-day weekend for Labor Day, a four-day weekend in October (Columbus Day) and the full week of Thanksgiving off.

• 2nd semester runs Jan. 8-May 24 with a three-day weekend for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a four-day weekend in Feb., a three-day weekend in March and a week off in April (spring break).

Option C:

• 1st semester runs Aug. 13-Dec. 21 with three-day weekends at Labor Day & Columbus Day and the full week of Thanksgiving off.

• 2nd semester runs Jan. 8-May 29 with a three-day weekend in Jan., Feb., and March; a week off in April, and a three-day weekend for Memorial Day in May.

What do you think of the proposed options to the DeKalb County School Calendar? Tell us in comments, then start or join the conversation on Brookhaven Patch's Facebook page.