The first day of school for students will be Monday, August 17, 2020.
It is important to remember that as the guidance from our Department of Public Health, the CDC, and the Georgia Department of Education is updated, Monroe County Schools will adjust plans and protocols as needed.
As mentioned in our earlier communication, please recognize that no plan is perfect, and no plan will alleviate all risks with starting back to school. Parents and guardians must determine the acceptable level of risk for their child and act accordingly. This plan was developed by school and district leadership, parents, teachers, and local health officials.
We are still experiencing a high number of Covid-19 cases in Monroe County and throughout the middle Georgia area. For several weeks, the number of cases in our county has increased. We continue to be rated as a "substantial spread" county by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Our ability to have a successful start of school on August 3, 2020, is lessened by the amount of spread in our county right now. Our school administrators and teachers need time to prepare for an increased number of online applications, to review and practice reopening safety protocols, to balance face to face class rosters, and to adjust instructional personnel as needed. For these reasons, the first day of school for students will be Monday, August 17, 2020.
Students will attend school for 170 days in the 2020-2021 school year. The number of student days will be reduced by 10 days this year. Schools will adjust schedule pick-up and open house dates and share that information with students and parents later this week.
It will be our hope that all approved school calendar dates after August 17, 2020, can remain the same.
Monroe County Schools instructional staff will report to work as scheduled on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Instructional staff will be given 8 additional days to prepare for the upcoming school year.
As we all know, our state budget was cut 10% this year. This represents a considerable funding reduction in our local school budget. In order to offset the difference in this year's annual budget, and to make every effort not to raise local taxes during a pandemic, the school system will be adjusting the school calendar as follows:
Superintendent- less 4 days pay
Central Office Administrators, Principals, Assistant Principals- less 3 days pay
Teachers/All Other Staff- less 2 days pay
This reduction will reduce expenses, helping to offset the loss of state funds.
The 2 calendar adjustment days for all employees will be taken on Friday, August 7, 2020, and Friday, August 14, 2020. Administrators will schedule their additional adjustment days during the school year.
Thank you for your support and for allowing us the opportunity to serve the children of Monroe County. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns that you may have.
