The Gainesville City School Board approved a new school calendar for the 2019-2020 school year, as well as agreed to adjust how non-resident tuition is collected.
The board looked at the proposed calendar for the 2019-2020 and voted to approve it unanimously. Superintendent Jeremy Williams said the calendar is mostly the same as the 2018-2019 calendar, with a few changes.
"What's neat for us this year is we'll be able to end school on a Wednesday, the 20th, have graduation on the 22nd, and post-planning will wrap up at that same time," said Williams, adding that having school the same day as graduation isn't their ideal choice. "It makes it very hectic, especially for the high school teachers who are helping out setting everything up. This next year, we're really looking forward to having some time to where we make sure our graduation is special not only for our students but their families as well."
Students will start both semesters mid-week, a full week of holiday for Thanksgiving and two weeks for Christmas remain and teachers are also coming back August 1 instead of in July.
Of course, the question of a later start time in the legislature was also a question at the meeting.
"We do anticipate some type of conversation out of the legislature this year regarding that, we do not believe it will impact next year's calendar, but we're waiting to see what happens after that. I have my own opinions about keeping it local, but at the same time, if they decide to go down a certain route, we'll respond like we always do."
The board discussed at length the tuition installment plan for non-residents. Board member Sammy Smith wanted to table the report that would adjust the payment plan for 237 students and their families from a four-installment option to a two-installment option, until a survey could be conducted. But other board members felt a survey could be postponed until next year's of tuition forms.
Williams said the four-installment option has caused their office some trouble. "It's tied up our finance department more than I'd like to admit, so by going to two installments, it's basically an opportunity to reduce it from four to two payments but in the same time also go up in a way of a charging like a late fee to the overall tuition." Additionally, Williams said families that may struggle to make the two installments on time can be assured the payment plan will transition instead of having a hard cut-off, allowing staff to determine who may need more assistance.
Williams added the tuition itself would remain the same for next year, $800 for the first student and $700 for each additional student.
Monday
January 13th, 2025
1:35AM
