The Chilton County Board of Education approved the 2012-2013 school calendar at its Feb. 21 meeting.

Superintendent Dave Hayden said Alabama Schools Superintendent Tommy Bice asked that Chilton County schools start earlier this year.

“We complied with that request, so we’re going to start Aug. 9,” Hayden said. “We’re having to begin a little bit earlier to work things out.”

Schools will have a full two weeks for Christmas break again, as well as several weather days if needed.

“It’s very similar to last year’s,” Hayden said of the new calendar. “Everything seemed to flow pretty well.”

Dates for the 2012-2013 school year are:

•Teachers’ Institute (Chilton County High School) – Monday, Aug. 6

•Professional Development – Tuesday, Aug. 7

•Employee Work Day – Wednesday, Aug. 8

•Opening of schools/first term begins – Thursday, Aug. 9

•Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 3

•Student holiday – Monday, Oct. 15

•Parent-Teacher Conferences (teachers only) – Monday, Oct. 15, (12-6 p.m.)

•Veterans Day – Monday, Nov. 12

•Thanksgiving – Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 21-23

•Christmas Holidays (first term ends) – Dismiss at 3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20

•Weather Day (if needed) – Friday, Dec. 21

•Employees return – Thursday, Jan. 3

•Professional Development – Friday, Jan. 4

•Students return (second term begins) – Monday, Jan. 7

•Martin Luther King Holiday – Monday, Jan. 21

•Presidents’ Day/Weather Day – Monday, Feb. 18

•Spring Break – Monday-Friday, March 25-29

•Weather Day – Friday, April 19

•Weather Day – Friday, May 10

•Closing Date and Graduation – Thursday, May 23

•Employee Work Day – Friday, May 24