Board of Education members received four versions of the 2026-2027 school calendar during their Thursday meeting.
The final version is expected to be adopted Dec. 11.
In two of the proposed calendars, school begins Aug. 31 and ends June 23. In the other two, school begins Aug. 24 and ends June 15.
In all four versions, the winter break begins Dec. 24 and runs through Jan. 1. A few board members expressed a desire to have the winter break begin earlier so that Hispanic people who celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24 can prepare and families who plan to get away for the holidays have time to travel.
In versions one and three, spring break goes from March 26 to April 2. In versions two and four, it runs from March 22 to March 29.
Board Member Karla Silvestre noted a preference for ending school in mid-June. “Going late into June is just not good for teaching and learning,” she said, adding it also affects travel and summer jobs.
The school administration drew up these calendars using input from the staff and community, many who filled out a survey.
As input from board members continue, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor noted, “When you add a day, you have to subtract it somewhere else, but you have that discretion.”
Catherine Malchodi, executive director of the Division of District Operations, pointed out, “There is no right answer. It’s just a matter of what works best.”
According to state law, schools must be closed on Thanksgiving and the day after, as well as on Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. Other required days off include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, the Friday before Easter and the Monday after Easter, and Memorial Day.
Other planned days off include Labor Day, the state gubernatorial election, and Juneteenth, which will be observed Friday, June 18. The calendars also include professional development and early release days.
Students must attend at least 180 days of school, and the proposed calendars include 181 days in case school must be closed due to inclement weather.
