Second modified calendar survey underway

A new survey of Oconee school parents is underway to allow the district to gather opinion on whether a switch should be made from a traditional school calendar to a modified calendar. A modified calendar does not mean year-round schools, but would shorten summer recess by stretching out the school year. Either way, students would be required to meet the state requirement of 180 days a year. But district administrators envision a shortened summer break as a better chance to help students in need of remediation. Among disadvantages is shortening the time that a high school student would have for a summer job and the potential that fewer off weeks in the summer might play havoc with traditional family vacations. Steve Hanvey, associate superintendent of education, says the second survey is being made at the insistence of trustees dissatisfied by the number of parents that responded to the first survey in October. Once the results of the new survey are factored, look for the district administration to make a recommendation to the county board some after January 1.  Parents are asked to take the survey on the school district website at www.oconee.k12.sc.us.