Board reviews two draft academic calendars; debate over banked days and graduation timing

Prince Edward County school staff presented two draft 2025–26 academic calendars and described the tradeoffs they contain, especially for high‑school scheduling under the 4x4 course model.

Calendar Committee presenter Derek explained both drafts meet the requirement to provide 90 instructional days per semester for high‑school courses under the 4x4 schedule. Option 1 starts school in early August and provides exactly 90 days for each semester; Option 2 adds two bank days in the first semester (92 days) that the committee described as insurance against weather closures but noted the extra days do not easily translate into second‑semester credit for high‑school courses.

The committee discussed fall break timing to avoid the Virginia Children’s Book Festival, how to handle election‑day scheduling (half day vs full day), and whether professional development days should be full days following parent‑teacher conferences so staff can reset. Board members asked for data on historical first‑semester weather losses and how many additional instructional minutes or hours the division currently has above state minimums; staff said they would return with that analysis and with the banked‑hours spreadsheet.

The calendar presenter said graduation dates were included as options and that weekends were preferred historically; the board discussed whether moving graduation to a weekday evening would create access problems for families. No final calendar vote was taken; staff will return with requested data and a recommended calendar on a future agenda.