Solar eclipse this summer means kids will go back to school a little earlier
Beaufort County students will begin next school year four days earlier than originally planned, following Tuesday night’s school board vote to take advantage of an exemption to state law that factors in next August’s major solar eclipse.
Classes now will begin on Aug. 17, allowing for two days of instruction before the eclipse passes over the heart of South Carolina four days later.
Under South Carolina law, no district can open their doors to students earlier than the third Monday of August, which falls this year on Aug. 21. But with the eclipse taking place the same day, the legislature approved an exemption to move that date forward for 2017-18 only.
The tweak was approved 8-0 during Tuesday night’s meeting, with Geri Kinton abstaining, following minimal discussion. Board member Christina Gwozdz was absent.
The change also will generate an additional day of winter break for students, with one of the teacher work days scheduled for Aug. 17-18 repositioned to Dec. 21. The other work day was moved to Aug. 21, with no classes on the day of the eclipse amid safety concerns.
Superintendent Jeff Moss noted principals expressed concerns about younger students trying to view the eclipse while riding the bus home.
“So in keeping with what other school districts are going to do, we’ll make that a teacher work day,” Moss said. “We’re still going to teach (about) the eclipse on Thursday and Friday, and we’ll purchase goggles that will allow them to view it at home.”
The rest of the calendar remains unchanged, including a three-day Thanksgiving break. The final day of classes will be May 31, 2018.
The board on Tuesday also approved the promotion of Tonya Crosby as the district’s new chief financial and operations officer. A 16-year district veteran, she spent the past 11 years as financial services officer, where her responsibilities included preparing the district’s $215 million annual budget.
Crosby replaces Phyllis White, who retired as CFO in December.
Jeff Shain: 843-706-8123, @jeffshain
This story was originally published March 22, 2017 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Solar eclipse this summer means kids will go back to school a little earlier."