(MURFREESBORO) The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely impacted our local schools. The Rutherford County School Board has faced never before imagined issues on how to determine grades, who advances to the next level, and what are this year's requirements for graduation.

Grading Plan

First, the Rutherford County School Board approved a modified grading plan because of the COVID-19 shutdown. The plan includes information about how grades and graduation requirements will be calculated. Parents with any specific questions about how it affects their child's grades, should reach out directly to their teacher of school.

Graduation

Second, a graduation schedule and plan have been announced for late June. The intent of the plan -- and the reason it is being postponed until summer -- is to hopefully allow some spectators to participate, as long as CDC guidelines allow. School officials will be monitoring those guidelines as the community works through the phased reopening.

2020-2021 Academic Year

Finally, the county school system has also modified the 2020-2021 academic calendar to eliminate almost all of the partial school days. This includes the two-hour days and the half days. Only the last day of school remains a two-hour day. The reason for this change is so that educators can maximize instruction days next school year.