Board approves multi-year calendars after public survey, sets graduation timing for later decision

The Craven County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt proposed multi-year calendars for traditional and early-college schools, following a district survey and staff presentations explaining changes to winter break, early-release days and professional workday scheduling.

Chief Academic Officer Michelle Lee reviewed the stakeholder process and survey results, saying 166 people responded to the calendar survey and 80% of respondents said a multi-year adoption would be beneficial. She described the key changes the drafts incorporate: a 2.5-week winter break in place of a three-week holiday, early-release days shifted to Fridays in most cases, and optional or required staff workdays repositioned to reduce an excessively heavy cluster of start-of-year workdays.

Why it matters: calendar dates affect instruction time, availability of teacher professional development and family planning. Lee said the calendars meet required instructional hours and the state's calendar law.

Board members discussed graduation timing and staffing. The board agreed to leave specific graduation dates off the calendar pending confirmation of Craven Community College's graduation schedule and further principal feedback; the calendars themselves were approved while graduation placement would be "to be determined." The board also asked principals to gather additional stakeholder input before a final decision on commencement dates.

Vote and next steps: a motion to adopt the calendars passed without recorded opposition. Lee said the district will post the approved calendars and continue working with principals to refine graduation timing and any minor adjustments.

Ending: Lee said principals will return with recommended graduation dates at the next month's meeting, and the district will publish the adopted multi-year calendar drafts online for staff and families.