Kershaw County School Board reviews proposed 2026–27 calendar in first reading

At its February 2025 meeting, the Kershaw County School Board of Trustees received a first reading of the proposed 2026–27 school calendar that would start student instruction Thursday, July 30, 2026, and end Friday, May 21, 2027.

The draft calendar, presented to the board as a recommendation from the districtwide calendar committee, would provide the required 180 instructional days with 90 days in each semester, several designated teacher workdays and professional development days, a fall break in October and spring break the week after Easter. The committee solicited districtwide feedback and, according to Mr. Branham, “We heard from nearly 500 people.”

District staff said the calendar is built around several planning principles and statutory requirements, including closing schools for election day in 2026. Staff also noted three weather makeup days are shown on the draft but said the district would likely use districtwide virtual learning days if inclement weather makes in-person instruction impossible. The draft lists a teacher workday Sept. 4 to pair with Labor Day and allow parent‑teacher conferences, and a mid‑January teacher workday between semesters to help high schools with schedule transitions.

The presentation emphasized continuity for instruction (90 days per semester) and scheduled breaks intended to support families and staff planning. District staff said the calendar committee included representation from every school and district offices and that the draft reflects committee compromises.

This item was presented as a first reading; the board did not take a vote on the calendar at the meeting. Staff said the calendar and a summary of public feedback are in the board packet and that the item will return for further consideration at a future meeting.