Fulton considers later school start date for next year

Fulton County students could begin class nearly a week later next year, according to a proposed calendar to be presented to the board. 

Fulton County Schools would begin classes next year on Aug. 12, 2019, and the following year on Aug. 10, 2020, according to proposed calendars. 

This year, Fulton started school on Aug. 6, as did Gwinnett, DeKalb and Clayton school districts. 

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The Fulton district had a calendar committee help with the calendar recommendation and conducted a survey that showed interest in a later start date, according to district documents. 

Earlier this year, Atlanta Public Schools approved a calendar that moves Atlanta’s first day of school back to Aug. 12 next year. APS started on Aug. 1 this year and last year. A state senate study committee, meanwhile, is considering the feasibility of a later start date for all Georgia’s school districts. 

Fulton’s proposed calendars include a spring break and a Thanksgiving break that match up with other metro districts, plus a traditional winter break, according to district documents. 

The last day of the school year would take place before Memorial Day in May in both 2020 and 2021. 

The Fulton school board will review the proposed calendars at its Tuesday meeting, with final approval expected to take place at a later meeting.