Board reviews three proposed academic calendar options; unions have split preferences
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Summary
The Pullman School Board heard presentation of three proposed 2026-2029 academic calendars; the teachers' union favored Option A while paraprofessionals preferred Option B. Board asked staff to reconvene the calendar committee to produce a committee recommendation before final action.
The Pullman School Board discussed three draft academic-calendar options for school years 2026-2029 during the April 30 meeting and heard that bargaining units had submitted differing preferences.
What was presented: Justin Polsetta and calendar committee members explained that the committee produced three drafts; the Pullman Education Association (PEA) ranked Option A first, Option B second and Option C third, while the Pullman Paraprofessional Association (PPA) ranked Option B first and Option A second. Polsetta summarized differences among drafts, noting that Option A is similar to the current calendar while Option B shifts the placement of professional learning/conference days.
Why it matters: Calendar adoption affects instruction, family schedules, conference timing and how the district would handle snow makeup days. Board members asked clarifying questions about why professional learning days were placed after some university spring breaks and about how secondary students, who typically have no midwinter break between Presidents Day and spring break, would be affected.
Next steps: Several board members asked for a committee-level recommendation. Polsetta agreed to reconvene the calendar committee, gather the committee's view and return with a recommendation for the board to act on at a future meeting. The board did not adopt a calendar April 30; action will appear on a subsequent agenda.
