Rockingham board approves 2025-26 traditional, Dillard and Early College calendars and a March makeup plan for Feb. 20 closure

The Rockingham County Schools Board of Education on Feb. 24 approved second readings of the district’s 2025-26 traditional calendar, the Dillard Academy year‑round calendar and the Early College calendar, and voted to make up a Feb. 20 closure by converting days in late March into student days.

Staff presented survey results and recommended calendar choices. Doctor Perkins, RCS staff, told the board that the district had received 2,908 public responses and “overwhelmingly 70% of the public that commented chose option 1 for the traditional calendar.” She recommended the board adopt option 1 for the traditional calendar, adopt the Dillard calendar as presented and make two changes to the Early College calendar: make Oct. 15 a required work day and make March 9 optional instead of required to better accommodate staff plans.

The recommendation also named graduation dates for next year to rotate locations. Doctor Perkins said she recommended June 4 for Moorhead and Reedsville, and June 5 for McMichael and Rockingham, “just flip flopping the dates and the locations from this year” to ease scheduling for families and principals.

The board made the changes recommended by staff and approved the calendars in a voice vote with no recorded opposition. After the vote, Doctor Perkins said, “I'll get those changes updated and posted to the website this week.”

Separately, the board voted to make up instructional time for a school closure the week of Feb. 20. Doctor Perkins outlined a plan to convert March 26 (currently an early‑release day) to a full student day; make March 27 (currently a required work day) a student day with early release; and change March 28 to a required work day. Philip Butler moved the motion; Daniel Rakes seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: adopting calendars and setting makeup days establishes the district's instructional schedule and clarifies dates families use to plan vacations, graduation events and staff development. The board directed staff to post the updated calendars and to proceed with the approved make‑up schedule.

Details and context: Doctor Perkins said the calendar recommendations reflected substantial public input and cited a link to the state calendar law in the memo for members of the public who wanted more background on legal constraints for start dates and exam scheduling. The Early College change responds to staff requests about a fall optional work day and a busy spring schedule. The board took formal action on the calendars and the makeup plan during the Feb. 24 work session; both items passed with unanimous voice votes.

Votes at a glance: • Second reading and adoption — Traditional 2025-26 calendar (staff-recommended Option 1): approved (voice vote; no recorded opposition). • Second reading and adoption — Dillard Academy 2025-26 calendar: approved (voice vote; no recorded opposition). • Second reading and adoption — Early College 2025-26 calendar with staff edits (Oct. 15 required; March 9 optional): approved (voice vote; no recorded opposition). • Makeup days to replace Feb. 20 closure (March 26 full student day; March 27 student day with early release; March 28 required work day): motion by Philip Butler; second by Daniel Rakes; approved (voice vote; no recorded opposition).

What’s next: Staff will update and post the revised calendars on the district website and proceed with the March make‑up schedule. The board did not identify further changes at the meeting.