Board changes calendar; closes schools on inauguration day (updated)

Charles County Public Schools will be closed for students on Jan. 20, 2009, for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

The Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to change the school calendar, moving the semester break for students from Friday, Jan. 23 to Jan. 20. Schools will be closed for students on Jan. 20 and teachers and staff will be allowed to take liberal leave. Schools are now open on Jan. 23.

Superintendent James E. Richmond told the Board that Maryland law requires schools to be open for a minimum of 180 days in a 10-month period and he needed to adjust the school calendar to make up the day prior to the end of the school year. "The state superintendent of schools does not have the authority to waive the 180-day rule for anything other than an emergency closing," Richmond said.

The unanimous action by the Board changes the January calendar to the following:

• Jan. 19 - Schools and offices closed, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday observed;
• Jan. 20 - Semester break, moved from Jan. 23. Schools closed for students; staff allowed liberal leave;
• Jan. 21 - School in session for students and teachers; High School Assessment, government makeup;
• Jan. 22 - School in session; High School Assessment English makeup; and
• Jan. 23 - School in session (changed from closed). High School Assessment for algebra and biology makeups.