Board hears draft 2025‑26 school calendar; survey showed broad support and mixed comments on asynchronous days and start date

Miss Briggs, presenting the draft 2025‑26 school calendar on Feb. 13, told the board the district received 799 survey responses between Jan. 24 and Feb. 7: 57% were parents, 30% employees, 11% parent‑employees, 1% students and 1% community members. She said 83% of respondents had no additional recommendations on the proposed calendar.

Briggs described several calendar features that drew comment. Employees valued virtual workdays; some respondents favored an after‑Labor Day start while a small number preferred a before‑Labor Day start. About 4–5% expressed concerns about asynchronous days and the three days between semesters in January when high schools move to a new 4x4 block schedule. Briggs suggested adding explanatory notes with the published calendar to clarify reasons for those schedule choices.

She also noted a small change from the survey calendar: last year the district did an early dismissal on Halloween because a downtown street closure moved events earlier; staff propose an early elementary dismissal again on Halloween next year and will announce that change earlier.

Student liaisons Connor Walters and Cameron Hicks told the board they favor asynchronous days for catch‑up. Board members asked for continued feedback; staff plan to return with a final draft for a March vote.

Why this matters: the calendar shapes instruction, extracurricular schedules and family logistics; clarity about asynchronous days, semester transition days and holiday dismissals affects families and staff planning.

What’s next: staff will add explanatory material to the online calendar and return to the board in March with a final draft for approval.