Covington County Schools on Tuesday amended the school calendar to include three half days for professional development for teachers.

Superintendent Shannon Driver said he had received requests to do more of the professional development earlier in the year.

“We are going to build in three half days to the school calendar,” he said. “We will close at noon on those days.”

During those days, Driver said teachers discuss specific targeted area.

“We’ll have joint meeting to bring together grade levels and subject levels,” he said. “If this is successful, we might make it part of the calendar next year.”

Parents can expect notification from the schools.

Half days will be:

• Sept. 23;

• Oct. 28; and

• Feb. 3.

Driver said students will be fed lunch before they are dismissed.

However,, there will be no afterschool care on those days.

In other business, the board:

• nominated Jimmy Prestwood for the Alabama Association of School Boards All-Star Board member;

• adopted an updated version of the Southeast Alabama regional and multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan;

• employed Marcus Joe Adams as bus shop mechanic;

• employed Thaxton Mark Perry as bus driver at Straughn High School; and

• employed Darlene Michelle Watson as reading coach at WS Harlan Elementary School.