Peabody-Burns students will be the last group in Marion County to begin school this year. State law allows districts to choose 180 days of school or 1,116 hours.

For the 2009-10 school year USD 398 will operate on the hourly schedule as a cost-cutting measure.

The district mailed calendars to each patron during the past week. The calendar shows athletic contests and activities beginning by the end of August while the first full day of school does not occur until Sept. 8.

Enrollment will begin Monday at the grade school, junior high, and high school.

Open enrollment at the grade school will be from 8 a.m. until noon, from 1 to 5 p.m., and from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, open enrollment at PBES will be from 8 a.m. until noon and from1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday is the final day with the PBES office enrolling students from 8 a.m. until noon. The office will close at noon.

High school seniors will enroll from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the high school. Juniors will enroll from 10 a.m. to noon, sophomores from 1 to 3 p.m., and freshmen from 3 to 5 p.m.

Junior high students also can enroll Monday with seventh-grade students enrolling from 6 to 7 p.m. and eighth-grade students from 7 to 8 p.m.

Open enrollment for junior high and high school students as well as new students will be from 8 a.m. until noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

The same enrollment will take place from 8 a.m. until noon on Wednesday with the office closing at noon.

Fees for the 2009-10 school year are $35 for elementary students and $35 for junior high and high school students plus possible additional fees for certain classes that require special materials.

For more information, contact the elementary school office at (620) 983-2188 and the junior/senior high office at (620) 983-2196.