The Surry County Schools Board of Education will meet on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Surry County Schools central office building.

At the meeting, the board will be asked to approve the final calendar proposal for the 2010-11 school year. The calendar has come before the board twice and members have reviewed public comments concerning the proposal. The final calendar draft includes a return to a two-week vacation during the Christmas holidays with a 1 p.m. early dismissal on Dec. 17. The later release makes for a better instructional day and allows students to eat at school. Nov. 24, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 will be make-up days for the first semester in case of inclement weather. The schedule will also make for two 90-day semesters, a better situation for the high schools.

The board will also be asked to approve revisions to the courses offered at the county’s high schools. These changes were first presented by administrators, counselors, department chairs, teachers and central office staff to a countywide committee. The committee reviewed each proposal to add, delete or modify courses and reached a consensus. A number of factors influenced course changes for the 2010-11 school year.

Course additions include integrated mathematics I, II and III, food II technology, a health sciences pilot at East Surry High School and agriculture production I and II.

Course deletions include agriscience applications, horticulture II landscaping, teen living and housing I and II.

A number of courses will be modified as well to change the title of the course, change the course description, remove a prerequisite or add a prerequisite.

Surry Community College has requested a change in the lease agreement it has with Surry County Schools. The college leases six acres behind the Surry Central High School football stadium for use as a vineyard. The college leases the property from the school system for $1 per year on an 18-month rolling lease. However, the college has asked for a five-year rolling lease with two successive five-year terms automatically because it takes four or five years for the grapes to mature for use in wine.

The agreement was drawn up by Fred Johnson, board attorney for both the college and the school system.

The board will also look at Policy 6140 regarding student wellness.

Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent, will present a construction update to the board regarding progress on the two new schools as well what is in store for converting the existing Pilot Mountain Middle School into Pilot Mountain Elementary School.

Pat Widdowson, assistant superintendent, will speak to board members about instruction matters within the school system.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.