Fulton County students will go back to school later next year

The Fulton school board on Thursday unanimously approved the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school calendars.

School will get out before Memorial Day, and the first semester will end before winter break.

School start dates have been a topic of keen interest in recent months in metro Atlanta and around the state. Some want school to start later in August to give families more time to travel and students more time to work summer jobs.

Earlier, Atlanta Public Schools announced it would move back its start date by 12 days. APS started school Aug. 1 this school year; next year Atlanta schools will open Aug. 12.

Last month, a senate study committee comprised largely of business and tourist representatives recommended that Georgia's public schools start the school year later.