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Board approves 2026-27 calendar after extended discussion on conference timing and semester balance
Summary
The board adopted the 2026-27 school calendar, which sets Aug. 13 as the first student day and balances semester contact-day requirements; members discussed parent-teacher conferences, winter break length and instructional hours before voting.
The Bellevue Board of Education adopted the 2026-27 school calendar after staff laid out the proposed schedule and board members asked questions about parent-teacher conference timing, semester length and holiday breaks.
The board's vote finalizes a calendar that begins student attendance on Aug. 13, provides two full weeks off at Christmas, a full week for Thanksgiving and specific professional learning and parent-teacher conference dates designed to meet state-required instructional hours.
Why it matters
The calendar shapes family planning, staffing schedules and course delivery. Staff said the schedule was designed to ensure semester and annual instructional-hour requirements are met while attempting to preserve multi-day holiday breaks that staff and families value.
Key points from the presentation and discussion
- Start date and professional learning: Staff said teachers will return for training and professional development ahead of students; the first student day is Aug. 13.
- Semester balance and contact hours: The presenter explained the first quarter is 44 days and the second quarter 40 days to meet first-semester hour requirements; total student contact days and teacher contact days were specified in the presentation.
- Parent-teacher conferences: Board members and staff discussed whether the second-semester conference should be moved later; staff said prior changes were made to provide earlier intervention and that parental participation remains high. Staff proposed surveying parents and teachers if the board wants to study the issue further.
- Holidays and make-up days: The calendar includes a full Thanksgiving week and two full weeks at Christmas; staff described how snow days and state hour requirements factor into the schedule and said the district has historically had leeway to meet state minimums.
Board action
A motion to approve the proposed 2026-27 calendar was moved, seconded and adopted on roll-call affirmations from members present.
Ending
Staff said the calendar can be revisited if needed; the administration also recommended collecting further feedback on the timing and format of parent-teacher conferences before making any future change.
