Parents and students can start making plans for the 2015-16 school year. The Guilford County Board of Education approved the traditional-school calendar during its meeting Tuesday night. The decision came after considering input received during a 30-day public comment period.

The calendar is based on 180 student days and 210 teacher days, with the first day of school scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. State law requires schools to begin the year no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday closest to June 11.

The board selected the first option put out to the public, which received 110 votes versus the 98 votes given to the second option.

Early release days for professional development will be identified by Academic Services and added to the calendar. Calendars for employees and the non-traditional school calendars are also based on the traditional academic calendar and will be developed next.