On Sept. 17-26, parents and students can offer input on the 2013-14 school year calendars to a team of DeKalb School System teachers, principals and administrators planning the calendar.

Among the options being explored is a “balanced calendar” which adds an additional week of vacation each semester and extends the school year an additional week.

Similar calendars have been utilized by other school districts to reduce the amount of time that students spend away from the classroom during the summer to prevent “summer brain drain.”

The calendar committee will recommend multiple calendars, which will be posted on www.dekalb.k12.ga.us during the Sept. 17-26 period.

Comments can be left on the website or be emailed to calendar-feedback@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us.

The committee will review all public comments before making its recommendation to School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson for presentation to the school board on Oct. 1. The board will vote on the calendar at its Oct. 8 meeting.