When the board of education heard the school system's proposed FY 13 budget at its May 29 workshop and placed it on first reading for comment at its June 5 meeting, included were five more employee work days than originally scheduled on the school calendar.  Among the reinstated days were two instructional days and three professional learning days.  These had been cut earlier from the school year calendar along with five more Work Schedule Adjustment Days because of budget projections.

Employees were urged to give their preference for dates for the three professional learning days during the February winter break. The choices were Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Sixty percent of those responding to the survey choose the Tuesday through Thursday dates, February 19-21, 2013.

"As the general fund budget proposal was being finalized and new information was forthcoming, it became apparent that the budget could sustain five employee work days including two instructional days being reinstated for 2012-13," said Denise Burrell, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.

She continued, "Dr. Jones recommended to the board of education that
• two instructional days be added on Thursday and Friday, January 3-4, 2013, which are now scheduled as professional learning days;
• Three professional learning days, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, February 19-21, be added during mid-winter break, and
• The January professional learning days be rescheduled for December 19 and May 31."