Year-round school vote coming

GAINESVILLE - Parents and teachers in the Gainesville School System will be asked to vote early next year on year-round schools.

Dr. Shirley Whitaker, special assistant to the superintendent for special activities , says a calendar committee has settled on a plan that calls for 45 days of classes followed by a three-week break, year-round.

"Two of those weeks can be used for intercession, either to give remediation or enrichment to students, if they so choose."

Dr. Whitaker says 70 percent of parents would have to approve the change, which would take effect in 2006-2007. "And, our board of education has said they would like to have a least 18 months notice before we ever change."

Meanwhile, the 2005-2006 school year will be a "traditional" one, with classes beginning August 8 and ending May 19.