The Board of Education has approved revisions to the 2003-2004 school year calendar for the Montgomery County Public Schools that incorporates changes resulting from final action on the fiscal year operating budget and the elimination of two professional days for teachers.

The changes mean that the teacher professional days originally scheduled for October 17 and March 19 have been canceled. Schools now will be open for students on March 19, but schools will remain closed on October 17 because of previously scheduled statewide teacher conferences. Also, the teacher professional day on May 5 has been moved to April 30 to accommodate Advanced Placement exams, and schools will be closed for students that day.

The new last day of school for students will be June 15, 2004 (changed from June 16). The new last day for teachers will be June 16 (changed from June 17). The first day of classes for students is on August 26.

The new calendar also identifies the early release days for parent conferences and report card preparation. Also noted are the marking period schedule and release of report card dates. The revised calendar is available on the web at the link below.

In addition, the calendar includes a revised contingency plan for making-up instructional days lost to emergency school closings. The revision extends the school year for up to five days, instead of using holidays. The change was based on experiences this year with weather closings.