Columbia Public Schools students would start the 2008-09 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and would have the Nov. 4 presidential Election Day off under a calendar being proposed by the district.

The calendar essentially mirrors this school year, with a mid-August start date, a two-week winter break and a weeklong spring break. The calendar also has four built-in snow days that, if used, would require students to be in school until June 3, 2009.

The calendar would end first semester before the winter break, a schedule change implemented for the first time this year.

"We asked teachers on a survey if they liked the semester ending prior to the winter break, and they were just overwhelmingly supportive," Assistant Superintendent Lynn Barnett said. "Parents and children weve talked to have been very supportive of it, too, so it looks like something well continue."

The public can weigh in on the calendar through a survey posted on the districts Web site, www.columbia.k12.mo.us.

Four killed, more than 20 hurt as storms slam region

Unseasonably warm temperatures and a cold front triggered heavy rains, high winds and at least one tornado that left four people dead and more than 20 injured Tuesday night in West Tennessee, according to emergency officials.

Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork said two people were killed in the Huntersville community in western Madison County. The two were killed in their homes, officials said. Their names were not released. U.S. 70 was closed in that area because of propane leaks.

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Only 10 of 46 air cons operable at Tamuning Elementary

Just when things were beginning to cool off, things are heating back up at Tamuning Elementary School. Students at the central school are feeling the heat once again, as a majority of the classrooms are without working air conditioning units. (This comes a few months after the units were repaired.) A total of 36 out of 46 classrooms are currently without the services of functional A/C."I told the board I'd challenge them to come to my school, sit in my class and watch my teacher give a lesson, because it's so hot," said Student Body Association president Geawna Hernandez. The outspoken fifth grader had approached the Guam Education Policy Board during its meeting last night, voicing her frustrations. The student says teachers are conducting classes outside because the heat has become unbearable, adding that she doesn't want to return back a modified bell schedule.She explained, "It's really hot and I know that not all of the kids like school, but I kind of like school and I don't want to go back to the 12 o'clock schedule anymore.

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