Cabot board approves 2025-26 calendar, course drop-window change and several surplus sales; personnel actions affirmed

The Cabot Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on a package of administrative items including a student calendar for 2025–26, a change to the student course drop/add window, sales of surplus custodial and food-service equipment, and personnel actions following an executive session.

Board action and outcomes The board approved the 2025–26 student calendar, which begins the school year for students on Aug. 12, 2025. The board also approved a change to the district's course add/drop policy that shortens the allowable drop/add window from 10 days to 5 days for both fall and spring semesters; the revised wording will take effect July 1, 2025 and be added to the 2025-26 course selection booklet. The board authorized the sale and removal from inventory of surplus custodial equipment (including auto-scrubbers) and surplus food-service equipment (including a Hobart slicer and a pizza oven) and accepted personnel actions after an executive session on personnel.

Why it matters The calendar change moves the district's start date earlier in August after a state code change removed a prior restriction on starting before Labor Day. The shorter add/drop window is intended to reduce lost instructional time and allow students who need full classes to take spots more quickly; district staff said honors and AP course procedures are not affected.

Supporting details - Student calendar: first day of classes for students is Aug. 12, 2025; the calendar also revises parent-teacher conference scheduling (the district will pilot a single, full conference day with extended evening hours rather than two separate evening events). - Course add/drop: district staff explained other nearby districts vary widely (some allow drops after day one; others allow four or five days). Counselors and the Student Success Center recommended the five-day window as a balance between early adjustment and instructional continuity. - Surplus sales: the board approved disposing of specified custodial and food-service assets and removing them from district inventory; the motions directed staff to proceed with the sales as presented to the board. - Personnel: following executive session on "employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, or resignation of employees," the board reconvened and voted to accept the personnel slate as presented.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the 2025–26 student calendar: approved (voice vote; "Aye" recorded; no roll-call tally provided in the minutes). - Motion to approve proposed changes to the course add/drop policy (effective 07/01/2025): approved (voice vote; "Aye" recorded). - Motion to approve sale of custodial warehouse property and removal from district inventory: approved (voice vote; "Aye" recorded). - Motion to approve sale of food-service department property and removal from district inventory: approved (voice vote; "Aye" recorded). - Motion to accept personnel as presented after executive session: approved (voice vote; "Aye" recorded).

What the board said Board members asked about evaluation of the five-day drop policy and were told the district would monitor implementation and return with adjustments if necessary. District staff noted honors and AP course procedures will be handled separately and are not changed by this policy.

Next steps The course-policy wording will be finalized and added to the 2025–26 course selection booklet; the policy takes effect July 1, 2025. The superintendent-elect and relevant campus staff will manage implementation and monitor outcomes.