The Prince Edward County School Board unanimously adopted a 2017-18 school year calendar that sets high school graduation on May 24 next year.

Division Superintendent Dr. Barbara Johnson said some of the new calendar’s highlights include finishing the first semester before winter break, which will take place Dec. 18-Jan. 1, 2018.

The action came during the board’s Wednesday meeting.

The decision leaves mid-year exams to take place prior to the break as well. Johnson said the calendar would have the school year end in May and begin prior to Labor Day.

The calendar includes nine make-up days during the first semester.

The current year’s calendar allowed a similar winter break on Dec. 19-Jan. 1 with exams taking place the week prior.

Graduation on Thursday, May 24 is different from the current and previous school years where graduation has taken place on a Saturday. This year, graduation will be held May 20.

“I was told that it has been in the evening or at night before, a few years ago, and that it was fine. So, what we were trying to do is make sure we end school on the same week for everyone because that was our main concern,” Johnson said, referring to graduation currently being held a week before the last day of school.

The current school year ends on May 26 and began on Aug. 10.

During their March 8 meeting, the school board unanimously approved $1,500 to be allocated to the After-Prom Committee — $500 more than in previous years, and to have a four-day work week during the summer to trim budget costs.