A reduction of over 20 positions throughout the Bell County School District was approved by the Bell County Board of Education during the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

A district staffing policy approved at the meeting resulted in a reduction throughout the district. The approved policy also results in the safe schools and day treatment programs being abolished.

All salary schedule proposals were approved and, as a result of the action, principals will now have a uniform equation to calculate their salary.

The principals will now each receive $10,000 above their base salary for being a principal, as well as $30 per child in their school. This formula was chosen because it was the fairest across the board, officials said.

The action results in a few principals receiving an increase in salary, while a few will see a decrease in compensation.

The proposed school calendar for the 2013-2014 school year was approved at the meeting. Principals from Bell County schools served as the calendar committee this year.

The calendar consists of four holidays, four professional development days and three make-up days to be used if needed, otherwise these days will be no school days.

Included in next year’s calendar is a “cool” two-week winter break that does not require the weeks to be broken up as well as fall and spring breaks.

One change to the proposed calendar was the absence of half days. These days were removed because they were deemed not productive.

“Those half days were not productive in my opinion and as well as in the principals’ opinion,” explained Gilliam.

One parent spoke up during the public forum to voice her concerns about the current policy regarding doctor excused absences.

Currently, Bell County students have three days after their absence to turn in their doctor excuses. Once the three days have passed, the schools will no longer accept the doctor’s excuse and the absence will therefore be unexcused. The matter will be discussed further at the next principal’s meeting in order to see if the deadline should be extended.

The following items were also approved at the meeting:

* Fundraising requests

* Out of state transportation requests

* Schools’ start and end time for 2013-2014

* Request to rent a van for a field trip for BCHS

* Out of state professional development requests

* Payment of bills

The next school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on March 19 at the District Administration Building in Pineville.