The Effingham County Board of Education discussed the academic calendar for the 2009-2010 school year, with a projected start date of Aug. 5.

“It is very similar to the calendar we are currently under,” Superintendent Randy Shearouse said.

The fall break would be Oct. 22-26, and Thanksgiving break would be Nov. 25-27. The Christmas break would begin on Dec. 18. Students would return to school on Jan. 4. Spring break is March 29- April 5. The last day of school would be May 21.

“I still feel the main reason to do this is for high school,” Shearouse said.

The calendar allows the students to complete their testing prior to the Christmas break.

He said there are procedures being put in place to deal with the heat at the beginning of the school year. Those procedures will be in place for this year.

The board approved adding flex spending accounts to the employee benefit package.

“We have surveyed different systems about flex plans,” Shearouse said. “We feel confident that the system will not lose money.”

He said they are great plans for people who take advantage of them for medical expenses, child care and elderly care.

“We’re also looking at the system saves money because we are not paying social security (on funds contributed to the flex spending account),” Shearouse said.

The money saved by the system would allow for the system to pay for another insurance plan for employees.

He said it would help pay for insurance for employees who might not otherwise be able to gain insurance.

Human Resources Director Becky Long said they spoke to other systems, and most have to plan for the calendar year.

She said they would like to have the plan begin on Nov. 1.