By: Valerie Newton
At the October 24, 2016 Board of Education meeting, board members approved a revised calendar for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year. Calendar revisions were needed as a result of schools being closed during Hurricane Matthew. Students missed nine nine days of school due to the hurricane.
The original 2016-17 school calendar had an additional three days allotted for students for inclement weather make-up days. Using those days against the time students missed due to the hurricane leaves six days that must be made up. To be in compliance with the North Carolina calendar law General Statute 115C-84.2, school districts must have 185 days OR 1,025 hours of instruction per school year. Bladen County Schools uses the 1,025 hours of instruction in its calendar.
Ten month employees (teachers) are compensated for a 215 day contract year. In the event that a day is not worked, or missed due to inclement weather, that day must be accounted for (i.e. made up or annual leave may be taken). The minimum of 1, 025 instructional hours relates to the student time and not the employment contract of 215 days.
Revisions/changes to the calendar are:
October 7 – Inclement Weather Missed Day (students & staff out)
October 10-14 – Inclement Weather Missed Days (students & staff out)
October 17-18 – Optional Teacher Workdays (students out)
October 19 – Required Teacher Workday (students out)
October 31 – School Day
January 26 – School Day
February 6 – Required Teacher Work Day (students out)
June 12-16 – School Days
June 16 – Last Day of School for Students
June 19 -21 Required Teacher Workdays
June 17 – West Bladen High School Graduation (AM) tentative
June 17 – East Bladen High School Graduation (PM) tentative