Cullman City Schools students still have a few months until the end of this school year, but they can already begin planning for next year after the Cullman City School Board approved the 2018-2019 academic calendar on Monday.

The new school year for students will begin on Aug. 7, with the Christmas/New Year Break lasting from Dec. 20 to Jan. 7, and the last day of school on May 23, 2019. 

Superintendent Susan Patterson said a committee made up of representatives from City Schools and parents meets a few times to draft the calendar.

The committee makes sure to look at the calendars of nearby school systems when trying to draw up the new calendar, but their options are limited when it comes to holidays and days when students have to be out, she said. 

Cullman High School is also hosting the State Track Meet on May 3, so schools will be dismissed to minimize any complications, Patterson said. 

“It’s just too hard to try to have school with all those extra vehicles and people around campus,” she said. 

There were also a few complaints from teachers this year about their Jan. 2 return date from the holiday break, so an extra day has been added to their break, Patterson said. 

In other business, the board: 

Reappointed Board President Suzanne Harbin to the same position. 

Approved Dec. 19, 2017 minutes.

Approved Jan. 5 minutes.

Approved December, 2017 payroll of $1,952,562.99, invoices paid of $450,115.70, financial statements and bank reconciliations.

Approved the following Head Start Items:

 -Expenditures report for December 2017.

 -Health/Nutrition/Disabilities/Enrollment Report for December 2017. 

Gave permission to surplus/salvage 604 Dell Latitude E6410 laptops, 472 Apple iPad Minis, 9 inoperable Cisco access points, 2 Dell desktops, 7 dell projectors, 4 NEC projectors, 6 printers, 4 monitors, Elmo document camera, Cisco IP phone, 17 inoperable Smartboards, CNP cash drawer, CNP lunchroom POS, and one box of old 6410 batteries from Technology Department.

Gave permission for Cullman Middle School Math Team to travel to Six Flags Over Georgia on April 27 for the Math and Science Day.

Gave permission to contract with Jackie Kinney to assist the Federal Programs Coordinator in regulating, monitoring, and maintaining programs beginning Feb. 1 through Sept. 30.

Gave permission to contract with Lindsay Brannon to provide NBPTS mentoring beginning Jan. 3 through June 1, 2019.

Gave permission to contract with Josh Raney to provide network support and computer technology support and maintenance to satisfy the intern/apprenticeship requirements of Work Based Learning and Cooperative Education beginning January 16, through May 31.

Gave permission to contract with Jennifer Sparkman to conduct kindergarten screenings and process new enrollment during the summer of 2018 (Title One Funds/Local School Funds).

Gave permission to contract with LeAnn Miller to provide assistance with school office activities including enrolling students for Cullman City Primary School and Head Start during the summer of 2018 (CCPS and Head Start Funds).

Gave permission to contract with Sabrina Jackson and Ann Davis to provide routine summer maintenance such as waxing floors and other necessary cleaning duties at Cullman City Primary School (CCPS and Head Start Funds).

Gave permission to contract with Jacob Miller to provide maintenance duties at Cullman City Primary School during the summer of 2018 (Head Start Funds).

Approved the following leaves of absence:

 – Rita Dean, 2nd grade teacher at East Elementary School, requesting catastrophic leave of absence approximately beginning Jan. 29 through Feb. 21.

 – Alice Lindsey, requesting additional two unpaid leave days for Feb. 5 and Feb. 16.

 – Kristen Brown, requesting an unpaid leave day on Feb. 1.

Approved the following employment:

 – Meaghan Britton, temporary 2nd grade teacher at East Elementary School (to fill a leave of absence), tentatively beginning Jan. 16 through Feb. 21.

The Cullman City School Board’s next scheduled meeting is on Feb. 22 at noon in the Central Office Board Room.