Clay Co. Schools change to different calendar

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - Changes are coming to one school district's calendar. Thursday night, the Clay County School Corporation decided on whether they would continue with the traditional school schedule for next school year.

They chose between three proposed calendars for the 2013-2014 year tonight: the traditional or Agrarian calendar, a balanced calendar; which has longer spring and fall breaks, or a combination of the two: a modified balanced calendar. In the end their choice was the combination calendar.
    
The meetings section for public comments was kept short. One woman spoke about her concerns over changing from the normal schedule. She said she felt there was not much evidence that the balanced calendar improved test scores and several members of the board agreed.
    
But, two other members of the school board also felt any sort of balanced schedule gives both parents, teachers, and students time to recharge.
    
In the end, no member of the school board would make a motion to pass the balanced or traditional calendar. So a compromise was made with modified balanced calendar
    
Which board members felt combined the best parts of the other calendars.

"It has parent teacher conferences it  is incorporating the concept of a somewhat balanced calendar, I think we can try it this year,” school board member Tom Reberger said.
    
The modified balanced calendar passed by a vote of 6 to 1.
    
One of the major changes for next year is students will have 3 days off in October for fall break. Then 5 more days off for spring break, unless there are snow days to be made up.
    
It also means that Clay County schools will be back in session on the 12th of August this year.