The Covington County Board of Education Tuesday approved a 2015-16 school year calendar that is closely aligned the calendars recently adopted for Andalusia and Opp schools.

The county calendar aligns itself with others school systems, with the exception of the start and end dates.

Covington County Schools will start school on Aug. 17, 2015 and the last day of school is May 26, 2016.

Specific dates, which include holidays follow:

• Aug. 10-14 — Professional development days for teachers

• Aug. 17 — School starts for students

• Sept. 7 — Labor Day holiday

• Oct. 12 — Fall break

• Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

• Nov. 23-27 — Thanksgiving holidays

• Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 — Christmas holidays

• Jan. 4 — Teacher workday

• Jan. 18 — King/Lee holiday

• Feb. 15 — President’s Day holiday

• March 28 – April 1 — Spring Break

• April 22 — Break/weather day

• May 26 — Last day for students

• May 27 — Last day for teachers

In other business, the board:

• granted permission to let bids for buses and petroleum products;

• accepted the retirement resignation of Doris L. McDonald as science teacher at Fleeta Junior High School effective June 1, 2015;

• approved the employment of Dameko Thrash as custodian at Florala High School under emergency status with effective date to be determined;

• approved the employment of William Benjamin Wilson as custodian at Straughn Middle School effective immediately; and,

• distributed financial reports that have been reconciled to most current bank statements.