SPRINGFIELD -- The Effingham County Board of Education squeezed 1 1/2 days into the 2017-18 school calendar without extending it.

After briefly discussing how to make up some of the four days lost recently to Tropical Storm Irma, the board voted 4-1 Thursday night to have students return earlier than originally scheduled after the Christmas break. The new return date is Jan. 3.

In addition, Feb. 14 will  become a full class day. It was initially slated as half a day because of parent-teacher conferences. The conferences will take place from 4-7 p.m. that day.

School employees will make up two storm days on May 29 and 30.

The current school year will still end for students May 23.

Chairman Lamar Allen cast the lone vote against the suggestion of Superintendent Dr. Randy Shearouse. He preferred to make up two full days.

See the Sept. 27 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.