Board discusses shifting school calendar start date, October break and impacts on families

Bear Valley Unified School District trustees opened a detailed discussion about the district calendar, including whether to start the school year as early as Aug. 1, the presence of an October break and the effect on families and staff.

Board members said the district’s current schedule — which includes an early August start and a shorter winter break — creates logistical issues for families, staff and summer programs. Speakers noted starting in early August drives a near-October break and that a later start could reduce the need for that mid-fall interruption.

Trustees discussed several concerns: hotter weather when classes begin in August, staff work windows for site improvements, conflicts with summer programs and post-secondary schedules, and impacts on students who hold summer jobs. One board member said a change could “potentially impact 300 kids out of 2,000,” describing how calendar shifts affect some students' ability to participate in summer programs and work.

Board members said district administration has held stakeholder conversations with teachers, classified staff and parents and that the cabinet has been meeting with unions and site leaders. The board member leading the calendar discussion told trustees a draft calendar will be brought before the board at an upcoming meeting (the speaker referenced an Oct. 1 board meeting) for consideration of the 2026 year; the board did not adopt any calendar at this meeting.

No formal motion to change the calendar was made; trustees characterized the exchange as deliberation and stakeholder outreach that will continue before a formal vote.