Board hears survey showing majority favor a two-week pre-Labor Day start; calendar committee to continue study

York County School Division staff reported results of a stakeholder survey on May 12 showing a majority of respondents favored starting the 2026–27 school year up to 14 days before Labor Day; the board asked staff to continue calendar committee work and to return with outreach materials.

Miss Goff said the survey (open March 13–23) received just over 2,200 responses; 65% of respondents identified as families. Respondents were asked to choose between two draft options: Option A, an August 24 start (two weeks prior to Labor Day) and Option B, an August 31 start (one week prior). Option A drew about 59% support among respondents. The survey also asked about preferences for summer-break length versus in-year holidays; the results showed varied preferences with a plurality favoring a 10-week summer that preserves some in-year holidays.

Why it matters: adjusting the start date affects alignment with regional calendars, summer program scheduling and instructional calendars for courses with fixed testing dates (for example, AP and IB). Goff said Hampton City Schools has released a draft calendar that would begin August 24, and other divisions are exploring options. Staff noted Virtual Virginia and some dual‑enrollment programs begin earlier than the division’s current calendar.

Board direction: several members asked for broader community input. Chair Goodwin and board members asked staff to return with options for a countywide survey or an outreach plan and to address safeguards against duplicate or nonresident responses. Staff offered to draft survey language and distribution options and to present draft questions and distribution methods at the June 2 meeting or the next available work session.

Ending: the board gave tentative direction to continue investigating the earlier start (August 24) and to return with public-engagement options; no final calendar decision was made at the work session.