The idea of starting school early was first mentioned last spring, andschool leaders brought it up again just recently because of some changesin school schedules. The thinking is that by starting the school yearearlier, students can get exams out of the way before the Christmasholiday.
School leaders and parents will soon decide whether to start the schoolyear in early August, but the idea isn't without it's critics.Jacqueline Mardis is a school counselor and has a son and daughter in highschool. She fears the early start would cause too much confusion inFayetteville, especially since the majority of the students come frommilitary families.
Student Crystal Cole says for the most part, she has no problem withthe early start date.
The lack of air conditioning on buses is a consideration, but manystudents, such as Amanda Lewis, say putting up with the heat would beworth it in order to get semester exams over before Christmas.
Barbara Gearing is a parent who would like to see the new schedule gointo effect.
In any case the school system will look to parents to decide whethertheir kids should get an early jump on the school year.
It is still very early in the planning phase. School leaders aredrawing up surveys which each student will take home at the end of thismonth. Then the school board will look at those surveys and decide whetherthere's enough support to start school early.
If it is determined that there is, that could spark a change as earlyas next year, although 1999 is a more likely target.
Photographer:Mike Joyner
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