The Middlesboro Board of Education approved the proposed school calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.

The calendar was well received among school employees. Over 90 percent of the vote was for the presented calendar.

The first day of school for teachers is scheduled for Aug. 7, with students starting the next day.

Observed holidays include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, and President’s Day. However, President’s Day may be used as a make-up day if the schools close for four or more weather days.

An additional day scheduled for no school that may be used as a make-up is April 18.

As a result of traffic problems that occurred last year due to a Discovering Downtown Middlesboro (DDM) event, a half day has been scheduled for the Friday before fall break this year. Last year’s event shut down several access streets and resulted in delays getting students home from school.

In anticipation of similar problems, Director of Pupil Personnel and Transportation Waylon Allen incorporated the half day as a preventative measure.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 4 this year so students will only attend school half a day that day in order to make it home before the roads become shut down.

Attendance is mandatory on half days, therefore students will be marked absent if they do not come to school.

The board also recognized Middlesboro Middle School Olympiad, Math Counts and academic teams for advancing to state competitions.

For more information about the school calender, please contact Director of Pupil Personnel and Transportation, Waylon Allen, at the Middlesboro Board of Education office, 606-248-8805.

Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205; rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com.