PUSD board reschedules spring holiday to Good Friday for 2025-26 school calendar

The Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) Governing Board met on June 17, 2025, to discuss important changes to the academic calendar that directly impact families in the community. A key decision made during the meeting was to shift the spring holiday from Monday, April 6, 2026, to Friday, April 3, 2026. This change aims to better align with community needs, particularly for families who rely on childcare services that are often unavailable on holidays like Good Friday.

Board members noted that feedback from parents indicated a preference for having the spring holiday on Good Friday, allowing families to travel for Easter without the added stress of returning to school on a Monday. The decision was influenced by previous years' attendance data, which showed a significant spike in absenteeism on Good Friday, suggesting that many families opted for a long weekend. By moving the holiday to Friday, the board hopes to improve attendance and provide families with a more convenient schedule.

In addition to the spring holiday adjustment, the board also discussed the overall academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The school year will begin on August 6, maintaining a consistent start date that has been in place for over a decade. The board emphasized that despite perceptions of a changing school year length, the number of school days remains at the state-mandated 180 days, a standard upheld for many years.

The meeting also touched on professional development days for teachers, with discussions about the timing and potential adjustments to create longer weekends for families. While some members expressed a desire to align professional development days with holidays, the board ultimately decided to table further discussions on the 2026-2027 calendar to ensure all details are accurate and reflect community preferences.

As the board moves forward, they remain committed to considering community feedback and ensuring that the academic calendar meets the needs of students and families. The next steps will involve finalizing the calendar details and addressing any outstanding concerns before the upcoming school year.