The Floyd County Board of Education approved a revised calendar for next school year that changes the start date for students from August 1 to August 8. In a move to save jobs and important school programs, Superintendent Dr. Lynn Plunkett made a motion to change the start date for the school year which takes five school days from the calendar approved last fall.

The revised school calendar can be found on the Floyd County Schools website at http://www.floydboe.net/FCS_Calendars/calendarList.cfm

The motion was unanimously approved by the board. The change will also remove three additional work days from the calendar for employees that will be taken from teacher planning days in the calendar. Local schools will determine which days will be taken for the three additional reduced work days at the local schools. "Removing instructional days is never a decision that I or the board want to make but with the need for reducing the work calendar by eight days due to funding reductions, this will have less impact than if we took all of the time from teacher planning," stated Plunkett. "We have new state standards that go into effect next year so it is imperative that teachers receive the training they need to make these changes in their classrooms." The revised calendar will not impact any other important calendar dates for students in the previously approved calendar

School systems across the state will begin to use the new Common Core Georgia Performance Standards this fall. Georgia joined with 46 other states, The District of Columbia (D.C.), and territories to develop a set of core standards for kindergarten through high school in English language arts and mathematics and in grades 6-12 in literacy in science, history/social studies, and technical subjects. The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) provide a consistent framework to prepare students for success in college and/or the 21st century workplace. Training to provide teachers with the tools needed to make the new standards work for children in the classroom is planned for this fall.

The move to reduce the work schedule by eight days for next school year will save an estimated $2.4 million from the 2013-2014 budget. "We are making this move to keep our school system from having to close schools, lay-off employees or cut programs like so many other systems in our state are having to do this next year," stated Plunkett. "We see school programs being decimated and communities devastated all around us due to funding reductions for public schools all across the state and this move to reduce the work schedule will keep us from going down that pathway in Floyd County next year." The system Budget Steering Committee made up of teachers, principals, board members and central office staff has been working to develop next year's school budget for board approval. The group recommended the reduction of work days and instructional days for next school year.

The combination of less state funding and less local taxes received over the past few years is creating a funding crisis for local school systems where salaries and benefits make up the bulk of the budget. As costs of operation continue to rise, the Floyd County system budget has decreased from over $98 million in 2009 to just over $92 million in 2011. Salaries and benefits for staff members and teachers make up approximately 89 percent of the budget for Floyd County Schools. The problem also has had a major impact in communities as local school systems are one of the communities largest employers in most counties in the state. Floyd County Schools is the second largest employer in Floyd County. Plunkett said, "We want to keep our people working because we have a great staff positively impacting the future of children but we also know that keeping people working is important for the well-being of our community." The $2.4 million savings will allow Floyd County Schools to continue to offer programs in the arts, physical education, advanced courses and student counseling that have been cut from many school programs in the area.

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American Sign Language and finger-spelling classes are starting up Thursday night at the Goodwill Career Center on Hicks Drive.

The classes are the first local ones offered in several years, said disAbility Link Executive Director Maia Santamaria, who recommended them especially for people in the medical, retail and legal fields.

“Actually, anywhere you’re going to be working with the public, you’re going to run into deaf people who appreciate you being able to communicate with them,” she said.

Instructor John C. McDonald said miscommunication by physicians or police could have serious consequences. At other times, it could lead to awkward embarrassment.

“For example, the signs for ‘more coffee’ and ‘smooching and necking’ are so close it’s not even funny,” he said, a broad grin belying his assessment.

The seven-week courses are jointly sponsored by disAbility Link and the Sign Language Interpreters of North Georgia. Fees are $40 for the finger-spelling sessions and $70 for basic ASL, plus the cost of the textbook. Some discounts are available.

For more information or to register email msantamaria@disabilitylink.org or call 706-314-0008, ext. 104.

Santamaria said her Rome-based advocacy group recently moved into new offices at 242 N. Fifth Ave. and is planning to ramp up its outreach efforts.

An open house is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, and she’s hoping anyone curious about who the group is and what they do will drop by to learn more.

“It’s for consumers, people with agencies, friends, families, everyone,” she said. “We want the community to know we’re here, and we offer services to empower people with disabilities.”

Volunteer Terri Cooper said she thought she’d spend the rest of her life in a nursing home after suffering a series of strokes, but disAbility Link sponsors provided her with options.

“They showed me how to help myself and be on my own,” Cooper said. “Now it makes me feel good to give back what they’ve done for me.”

Anyone could end up in a nursing home, watching their savings and other assets being eaten up by the costs, Santamaria noted. People without family support systems are particularly vulnerable.

“By the time you’re recovered you have no resources left, but we can help find programs and other support,” she said. “It’s far more economical to live independently than in a nursing home.”

Physical accessibility — in public and private spaces — is another area disAbility Link promotes. Santamaria said it’s much easier to build homes, restaurants and government offices to admit wheelchairs than to retrofit the structures.

The organization is hosting a free workshop on May 24 for state and local officials, employers and other interested parties to learn about recent changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act and their responsibilities under federal law.

The seminar, presented by the Disabilities Resource Group, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Career Center. Register by Friday with Nancy Duncan via email to nancyduncan­@bellsouth.net or by calling 770-451-2340.