Franklin County students will begin the new school year on Wednesday, August 10 after the Franklin County Board of Education approved the 2016-17 school calendar at its January 26 meeting.
Teacher in-service days are set for Thursday and Friday, August 4-5, with teacher work days scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, August 8-9.
Half-day classes are set for Thursday, October 13 with parent-teacher conferences scheduled that afternoon from 1-4 p.m.
Franklin County students will enjoy a fall break Friday, October 14 and Monday, October 17.
Other half-days are scheduled for Thursday, November 10; Wednesday, December 21; Friday, March 10, 2017; and Thursday, May 25, 2017, the final day of classes.
Senior high graduations will take place on May 25 and 26, 2017.
In other action, the board:
•Awarded the low bid of $58,330.16 to Intra-Core Technologies, Inc., for a WatchGuard Firebox at the central office. The firebox will replace the current one as system-wide Internet usage has surpassed its capacity. A federal grant will cover the cost of this purchase.
•Approved a modification in the mileage reimbursement rate from 57.5 cents to 54 cents per mile pursuant to State of Alabama guidelines.
•Approved out-of-state trips including: East Franklin ninth grade to World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta on May 19-21, 2016; Vina softball team to Thrasher High School in Mississippi on April 18; Vina softball team to Tremont High School on April 19; Vina baseball team to Mississippi for games on March 5, 18, 29 and April 7; Red Bay golf team to Pickwick, TN on March 29 and Mississippi on April 14 and 19; Red Bay baseball team to Mississippi for games on February 26, March 5 and 14; Red Bay softball team to Belmont, MS on April 18; Red Bay tennis team to Belmont, MS on March 31 and April 12.
•Approved the purchase of approximately $4,000 in drug testing kits to be used for random drug testing during the school year.
•Approved the hiring of Austin Oldag as math teacher at Belgreen; retirement of Sharon Warhurst in central office; hiring of Elonda Cox as accounts payable person at central office and Laurel Turbyfill as bookkeeper at Red Bay High School.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education is set for February 23 at 5:15 p.m. with work session at 5 p.m.
