COVID-19 Impact: MCS school board considering three proposals for new 2020-21 school calendar
Madison, Madison County Record, News, RSS Twitter, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  John Few Published 
9:09 am Wednesday, May 20, 2020

COVID-19 Impact: MCS school board considering three proposals for new 2020-21 school calendar

MADISON – Three versions of a new calendar for the upcoming 2020-21 school year are being considered by the Madison City school board. Because of COVID-19, the state superintendent recommended schools start later this year to allow the continual spread of the virus to slow down even more before campuses reopen.

“The previously adopted calendar must be amended to adjust for a later school start,” said MCS spokesperson John Peck.  He said three proposals were introduced this week. Draft A and Draft B have 175 instructional days for students and Draft C has 180 days, with various other adjustments to things like holidays and professional development. Teachers continue to have 187 work days.”

You can view all three calendars here:

The MCS school board is inviting public feedback. Comments can be directed to board members or to Dorinda White at dcwhite@madisoncity.k12.al.us. The school board expects to vote on a substitute calendar by early June.

Highlight from each draft:

Draft A
175 student days
Opening Day for students delayed 2 full weeks
Number of days in grading periods are spread evenly
Fall Break and Spring Break are changed from previously approved calendar
Fall Break falls after 1st grading period ends
Spring Break falls after 3rd grading period ends
1st semester ends January 14
Thanksgiving Break shortened to 3 days instead of full week from previously approved calendar
Winter Break is full 2 weeks for students/teachers
No ½ days for students
No Weather Days built into calendar
Teachers continue to work 187 day contract with 10 days at beginning of year for professional development

Draft B
175 student days
Opening Day for students delayed 2 full weeks
Number of days in grading periods are spread evenly
Fall Break and Spring Break are NOT changed from previously approved calendar
Fall Break falls before 1st grading period ends
Spring Break falls before 3rd grading period ends
1st semester ends January 15
Thanksgiving Break shortened to 3 days instead of full week from previously approved calendar
Winter Break is full 2 weeks for students/teachers
No ½ days for students
No Weather Days built into calendar
Teachers continue to work 187 day contract with 10 days at beginning of year for professional development

Draft C
180 student days
Opening Day for students delayed 8 student days
Number of days in grading periods are NOT spread evenly
Fall Break and Spring Break are NOT changed from previously approved calendar
Fall Break falls after 1st grading period ends
Spring Break falls after 3rd grading period ends
1st semester ends December 22
Thanksgiving Break shortened to 2 days only instead of full week from previously approved calendar
Winter Break is shortened to one week and 3 days
No Weather Days built into calendar
Teachers continue to work 187 day contract with 10 days at beginning of year for professional development

The previously adopted calendar for 2020-21 – and the 2021-2022 calendar, which is not being changed at this time, can be viewed under the calendar tab on the MCS website.

Also on The Madison Record
Cheese egg and casserole a brunch staple
Living50Plus
April 1, 2026
On lazy weekend mornings or when entertaining a crowd, it may be more fitting to serve brunch rather than breakfast or lunch. Brunch enables guests or...
Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field Friday to kickoff season
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Season opener
Staff Reports 
April 1, 2026
MADISON - The Rocket City Trash Pandas will open the 2026 season at Toyota Field with a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers’ Double-A affi...
Volunteers named 2026 Madison Visionary Award winners
A: Main, Lifestyles, Madison County Record, ...
Former mayor Paul Finley named Visionary of the Year
Staff Reports 
April 1, 2026
MADISON - Celebrating volunteerism in Madison was the central focus on March 25 when several Madison volunteers were honored for their hard work and c...
Madison Hospital named state’s newest dementia friendly hospital
Business, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
April 1, 2026
MADISON - Dementia Friendly Alabama announced last week that Madison Hospital has officially earned the designation as Alabama’s newest Dementia Frien...
Kids to Love CEO urges Congress to reform foster care and adoption system
Lifestyles, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
April 1, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. Kids to Love Founder and CEO Lee Marshall spoke before Congress last week on one of the most pressing issues facing vulnerable childr...
Fellowship United Methodist Church plans outdoor morning Easter service
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com mailto:gregg@themadisonrecord.com 
April 1, 2026
MADISON – Fellowship United Methodist Church will conduct an outdoor service on Easter Sunday, April 5. The service’s venue will be 4530 Sullivan St. ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *