Charleston County to decide tonight on possible longer school year for teachers

The Charleston County School Board will decide tonight the academic calendar for the 2013-14 school year, as well as whether the school year should be extended by up to four days for teachers.

District leaders want to add the days to teachers' contracts to allow time for training sessions focused on the Common Core Standards. Those are new requirements for what kindergarten through 12th-grade students must learn in reading and math.

The district could spend as much as $4.7 million to pay teachers for their time and cover the training staff and materials. The district's total approved budget for this school year is $357.1 million.

On the academic calendar, parents and teachers have been invited to give their input, and the deadline to do so is today.

District officials have presented four options. All of the major holidays, such as Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break, are the same. Here's a look at the big differences:

Version A: First day of school is Aug. 21. School year for teachers is 190 days. Students return from winter break on Jan. 7.

Version B: First day of school is Aug. 20. School year for teachers is 190 days. Students return from winter break on Jan. 7.

Version C: First day of school is Aug. 21. School year for teachers is 194 days. Students return from winter break on Jan. 6.

Version D: First day of school is Aug. 20. School year for teachers is 194 days. Students return from winter break on Jan. 7.

To vote on the calendar, go to: http://www.ccsdschools.com/ProposedCalendar.php

The board meets at 5:15 p.m. at 75 Calhoun St.

Read more in an upcoming Post and Courier, and get the latest education news by following @Diette on Twitter or go to www.facebook.com/diettecourrege.