Policy 320 - School Calendar
Adopted on February 21, 2019
Effective February 21, 2019
The Board of Education recognizes that the preparation of a calendar for the instructional program of the schools is necessary for orderly educational planning and for the efficient operation of the District.
Before the Board votes on a final school calendar, the Board shall hold at least two (2) public hearings on the school calendar. The public notice of the date, time and place of the public hearing must be published in a qualified newspaper as a Class II legal advertisement, in accordance with the provisions of State law. Notices for both hearings can be published in one (1) advertisement. The first notice must be published at least ten (10) days prior to the first meeting to provide sufficient time for interested parties to plan on attending the hearing. Topics that may be addressed at the public hearing include, but are not limited to:
A. the total number of instructional days in a school year;
B. length of school day;
C. noninstructional days;
D. out-of-calendar days; and
E. beginning and end dates of employment and instruction terms.
Pursuant to law, the Board must approve a school calendar each year and submit the proposed calendar to the State Superintendent of Schools or designee by the established deadline.
The school calendar shall provide for an minimum employment term of 200 days and a minimum instructional term of 180 separate days that meets the criteria specified by State law and West Virginia Board of Education policy.
School Day
The Board of Education authorizes the school day to be arranged and scheduled by the administration. It is to offer the maximum education for the time spent within the limitations of school facilities and the laws and regulations of the State.
The Superintendent may close the schools, delay the opening of school, or dismiss school early when such alteration in the regular session is required for the protection of the health and safety of students and staff members. The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines for the proper and timely notification of concerned persons in the event of any emergency closing of the schools.
The Superintendent shall have the authority to determine which school-related activities may be conducted if the schools are closed for a period of time. The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines for communication to students, parents, and others regarding the scheduling and the conduct of such activities.
The Board shall require at least 30 additional minutes of instruction to be added to the school day beyond the State minimums required in state law in the formulation of the school calendar and authorizes the Superintendent to administratively adjust school day schedules after the school year has commenced to recover time lost due to late arrivals and early dismissals.
Religious / Patriotic Ceremonies and Observances
The Board acknowledges that it is prohibited from adopting any policy or rule respecting or promoting an establishment of religion or prohibiting any student from the free, individual, and voluntary exercise or expression of the student's religious beliefs, other than the limitation of the same to appropriate time and place such as during lunch period or at other non-instructional time periods when students are free to associate.
Observance of religious holidays through devotional exercises or acts of worship is also prohibited. Acknowledgement of, explanation of, and teaching about religious holidays of various religions is encouraged. Celebration activities involving nonreligious decorations and use of secular works is permitted, but it is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not place an atmosphere of social compulsion or ostracism on minority groups or individuals, and do not interfere with the regular school program.
The Board shall not include religious invocations, benedictions, or formal prayer at any school-sponsored event.
The flag of the United States, four by six feet, of regulation bunting shall be raised above each school and/or at other appropriate places during all school sessions, weather permitting. The flag shall be raised before the opening of school and taken down at its close every day unless the flag is lighted. Any United States flag of flag or the State of West Virginia purchased out of the County Board building fund or with State funds must be manufactured in the United States. The teacher, custodian or other person in charge of the building during the session is responsible for this flag being displayed at the school.
Professional staff members are required to lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day. However, no student shall be compelled/required to participate in the recitation of the Pledge. Additionally, the Board prohibits the intimidation of any student by other students or staff for the purposes of coercing participation.
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