The Newton County School Board has voted on a calendar for the upcoming school year. After spending several months reviewing different options, the board decided on a calendar that has students in school for 178 days.

The school year will start for students on Aug. 6 with their first break on Sept. 6 for Labor Day. Fall break will begin Oct. 18 though Oct. 22 and the students will take Thanksgiving break Nov. 24-26. There will be a semester break Dec. 20-Jan. 4, followed by a day off on Jan. 17 for the MLK holiday. Winter break will be held Feb. 16-21 and students will have a holiday on March 14. Spring break is April 4-8 and the last day for students is May 26.

"After preliminary review of the revenue for 2011, and given the authority granted to a board by the state to decrease the student year up to four days in emergencies, the decision has been made to eliminate two days due to financial emergency," reads a recommendation to school board members by Superintendent Dr. Steve Whatley. "There still would remain two days for inclement weather or financial emergency, if the state further reduces revenue during the FY11 year."

The current calendar was approved by the board at the April 27 BOE meeting.