Revision of the 2020-21 school calendar was discussed at the meeting of the Marshall School Board on Tuesday, July 21.
Spainhower Primary School Principal Renee Vaught asked for a staggered start of the school year for early childhood through first grade: first grade to start on August 26; kindergarten on September 8; and early childhood on September 14.
Vaught said this year, students are going to be asked to socialize in different ways, which will include not sharing toys, washing hands and choosing their lunch tray. With the staggered start, early childhood and kindergarten teachers will be available to help provide support for first-grade teachers. A few minutes per day may need to be added to the calendar in order for the elementary grades to meet required hours. August 24 and 25 will be professional development days for employees, and the first day of school for grades 1-12 will be Wednesday, August 26.
The board unanimously approved the revised school calendar- making August 26 the first day of school and staggering the start of school at Spainhower as presented.
In other news, the board tabled making a decision on a thermal camera bid at the June 29 special board meeting. At this meeting, the board unanimously approved a bid from Converged Technology Solutions for cameras in the amount of $37,560.
The board also approved special-education and federal-program contracts for the 2020-21 school year: Perkins Freedom Mobility- Braille and Orientation and Mobility Services; Research to Practice- speech/language supervision through MSBA; and Local Tax Effort and Public Placement Fund Claiming- Medicaid Claiming Services through MSBA.
The board also approved the DESE free and reduced lunch form for the 2020-21 school year.