Ms. Angelucci, as someone who voted and voted for you, I do not appreciate you calling the emails "jacked up" you are there to representus-which means listening!
I find that quote and attitude very unprofessional!

What makes e-mails "jacked up"? Does Angelucci represent all of the parents in her post or only her own special interest?

Maybe get rid of the break in February and start a week later in August. The kids have already lost 5 days of education due to budget cuts. Find a way to work it out. And I believe she was using the words jacked up emails in regards to only the people who are happy with the balanced schedule telling their representatives it's a wonderful thing. At least that's the way I understood it. You want to be pissy about something then be upset that we rank as a state between 45th and 50th in the nation for education not that our representative is using slang to speak about emails.

Oh my...now I've heard of two unprofessional responses by Ms. Angelucci. I have a friend who is a teacher; she received a curt, rude response. I read the letter that was sent to Ms. A; there was really no justification for the tone of her email. I'm very concerned that we have elected a hard-headed, short-tempered board member. I wish they would "grow up" and get along with each other, instead of the constant pettiness and bickering that seems to occur so frequently. I am all for the current school calendar. It appears that money is the motivating factor for Ms. A's opinion, instead of student achievment or her constituents' desires. We elect officials to represent "we the people"; otherwise it's a dictatorship, in my opinion.

The focus should definitely be on academics and improving our national position, there is no question about that!

I believe that the Board's original decision last year on the balanced calendar should be honored. There are definitely differing opinions on both sides as to whether the balanced calender is "good" or "bad" for academics, budget or economy. Only time will tell, and I think it should be given a chance. It may be useful to look to other school districts with similar demographics, in state or out of state, that currently have a balanced calendar to see what the budget, academics and other benefits or challenges may be.

I think it is a narrow look to only sight a single type of business that may be negatively affected. I am sure that there are a business that have benefited from ability of families to travel at off peak times. I am not sure what the intention is behind the "jacked up email comment, but there seems to be a lot of heated emotion on both sides of this topic.

I agree with David Morgan of Post 3 when he said that the constant change in the calendar is "really tumultuous". I trust that this issue will be quickly resolved to allow the Board to get back to the issues that effect, more directly, the academic standards of our schools.

Ms. Angelucci,

Define "jacked up emails". Is this insinuating that you don't care what the parents & teachers in Cobb County, who voted you in, want? You're really earning favor with parents with that attitude. I am one of those parents who took the time to write to the board members. At least most of them acknowledged the fact that you are there to serve the people, not yourself.

Maybe we are the ONLY parents in CC that plan vacations etc in advance, but in my opinion the kids lose much for from a long summer recess on no school than a few days in February. What could possible make people think a week in February and September would somehow impact a childes education more than months off in the summer?? The old calendar are not based on what is best for your child’s education but harkens back to old times when children where needed home in the summer to work on the farm!

Why such a hurry to undo all the previous boards' decisions? We agreed to a balanced calendar knowing it would be in place for 3 years so appropriate data could be taken on it's effectiveness. It frightens me to see our current board behaving in a similar fashion to neighboring boards that have resulted in SACS probation. Let's slow down, look at real data about our students, not local businesses. There must be some compromise between no breaks including only getting out of holidays the day before a holiday, and having a fall and winter break. This board needs to listen to everyone, not just their own voices.

I am for the balanced calendar. I am a parent who has always worked to keep my kids academically challenged over the long summer months. However, by late July they are ready to get back to school and into a structured learning environment again. I also feel that the fall and winter breaks are healthy for kids and teachers alike. It helps keep everyone 'fresh' and in a learning mode. This in turn helps morale, patience, and a move conducive learning environment for our children and teachers alike. Bottom line, there are pros and cons to all of the proposed calendars. However, I agree that if a three-year commitment was what was promised, then this is what we need to stick to. After three years we can then re-evaluate and make a change--if that is what the majority feels is in the best interest of the schools, teachers and children.

Thank you everyone for your comments. Are there any teachers who'd like to offer their perspective on the balanced vs. traditional calendar debate?

I can't even believe this is a topic of discussion on the agenda. After all, when this new calendar was introduced last year the Board promised to try it for three years in order to provide sufficient data to its effectiveness or ineffectiveness. So why is the Board interrupting higher priority topics at this time to readdress the calendar issue again? Is it because we recently voted in new Board members who are attempting to re-do what the previous Board committed to doing? That doesn't sound like a good use of time or resources. I'm beginning to think private school is a much better option; or even moving to a part of the country that has a proven track record of higher academics and fewer personal agendas within educational processes.

I like this balanced calendar.. I did see the "maybe" one and that is ok but what is up with the christmas break? Really right before christmas eve. I'd rather if we are going to do that end the week on a tues or Wed before, so the 20th and then go back early after the new year. Travel would be horrible and you would see more people pull their kids out of school early to be somewhere for the holiday..... That being said I have enjoyed this balanced calendar and that will be what I vote for

I do not like the new calendar. We managed to learn quite a bit when I was in school & we didn't go back until after labor day....& I can run circles around todays students with my math skills.....math is what everybody should be upset about!