Students in Tupelo Schools will begin the 2010-11 school year on Aug. 4. Those in Lee County Schools will start one day later.

Both districts approved their calendars Tuesday during school board meetings.

Tupelo was considering two start dates but chose the one that began two days earlier but gave students holidays on Columbus Day (Oct. 11) and Presidents Day (Feb. 21). The district did not observe either holiday this year. Lee County Schools will also take both holidays.

Tupelo students will also begin the second semester one day earlier than those in Lee County but will end the school year two days sooner.

Tupelo schools will begin class Jan. 4 and hold their last day of the year on Friday, May 20. Lee County Schools will hold their last day on Tuesday, May 24.

Tupelo’s graduation is May 20, and Lee County’s is May 21.

Both districts will share the same spring break (March 14-18). Industry Education Day is Feb. 18, meaning that there will be a four-day weekend for students when coupled with President’s Day.

However, both districts will use Presidents Day and Easter Monday as makeup days for severe weather. Tupelo Schools will also use Good Friday as a potential makeup day.

Lee County Schools will take one 60 percent day every month except December, April and May. The district uses those days to have staff development meetings in the afternoons.

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com