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Schools

Things to Know Before First Day of Clarke County School

Several new principals, meal prices, student transfer rules and more on the horizon.

The first day of school is only a few weeks away for Clarke County students. Here are some important changes and rules to remember for both parents and students as the day draws near.

New Principals

The Clarke County Board of Education made changes to principal posts at five schools, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

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School officials approved the transfer of former Principal Ingrid Gilbert to . Gilbert replaces Julie Bower, who came out of retirement to serve as Stroud's interim principal.

Tony Price, the former principal of , is now serving as principal of Cedar Shoals High in place of Gilbert, and Selena Blankenship, Clarke Central's  former associate principal, was appointed head principal at Hilsman.

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Earlier in the spring, school officials named Jennifer Scott, who had been the assistant prinicipal at , as principal of Elementary in place of Sue Holt, who came out of retirment to fill the positoin.

Anissa Johnson, who had been the assistant principal at , became principal of in place of Dale Rogers, who retired.

Calendar Bell/Schedule

The first day of school is Aug. 8. Elementary school (grades K-5) starts at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m. Middle schools (grades 6-8) starts at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m. High schools (grades 9-12) start at 8:25 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m.

Lunch Price Increase

Students who can afford the full cost of a lunch in Clarke County schools can expect to pay more for their meals this year. According to a provision called the “Equity in School Lunch Pricing,” under the USDA's Healthier, Hunger-Free Kids Act, local school districts are allowed to gradually increase the cost of paid lunches when the price of a meal is less than the actual cost to produce the meal.

Here are the price increases:

$1.35 to $1.50 for elementary students

$1.55 to $1.75 for middle school students

$1.75 to $2.00 for high school students

Students who pay a reduced price or free meal will be unaffected by the changes.

Enrollment

Clarke County School District administrators are projecting a slight enrollment bump, from 12,224 students last spring to 12,310 this fall. However, administrators are still enrolling new students every day, so the number could increase, officials said.

As of July 1, five elementary schools – , , , and – were listed at capacity and according to state law, will not be available for parents who are seeking transfers within the school district.

Under the law, school districts must wait until all students who are assigned to a school register before they may open up seats to transfer students by July 1. Students can apply for all other schools within the Clarke County District except for Judia Jackson Harris Elementary. Harris is exempt from the transfer decision because it is still considered a new school, but will be eligible to accept transfers next year.

New School Uniforms

Students who attend , , , Road and elementary schools, and , are required to wear new this year following a series of made at the request of each school.

Students must wear collared shirts with either slacks, knee-length shorts or skirts. Closed-toed shoes are required, and boys are required to tuck in-their shirts with a belt if they wear pants with belt loops.

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