Hillsborough County Public Schools Administration
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approval of the 2007-2008 School Calendar: It is recommended that the Board adopt the attached calendar. It is also recommended that when we convene the calendar committee, as we do each year, that the committee will do even more research to see how other school districts, businesses, and local governments build their calendars. It is also recommended that our attorney evaluate any proposed calendar based on the information that is collected in that research.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2007-2008 school calendar that was discussed at the School Board Workshop on February 20, 2007, was the result of almost a full year of consideration by representatives of the major stakeholders in the decision, including students, community members, parents and employees. The group developing the calendar was asked to recommend one that would provide our students a year’s worth of focused instruction in a year’s worth of time, that would be as family friendly as possible, and that would meet the lawful requirements and constitutional responsibilities of our School Board. The calendar that was recommended met those requirements. The Board adopted a directive to our principals that has been used for some time. This step was intended to ensure that all students are provided their freedom of religious expression without constraint. Students and teachers may take days off to celebrate religious holidays important to them, without regard to the days on the calendar. Students who take days off to celebrate religious holidays will not be penalized in any way regarding attendance incentives.

Changes in calendar from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008:
  • Later start date as mandated by the state
  • 182 days vs. 184 days 2006-2007
  • Remove Fair Day as a non-student day
  • Add Presidents' Day as a non-student day
  • Remove non-student days that align with Yom Kippur, Good Friday, day after Easter, and Passover
  • Strawberry Festival as a non-student day for all students
  • Add May 2 as a non-student/non-teacher day
  • ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

    All District Goals and Critical Success Factors.

    FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

    Approval of the school calendar has no monetary impact to the district.

    EVALUATION

    Evaluate yearly.

    SUBMITTED BY: Debra Veranth

    Debra Veranth
    Director of Administration
    272-4076
    Lewis A. Brinson
    Assistant Superintendent for Administration
    272-4070
    7.01R
    Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070227_233 * Section E Item# 7.01R