Board approves 2025–26 school calendar despite objections over snow days and Thanksgiving schedule

The Boyertown Area School District Board of Directors approved the 2025–26 school calendar at its Jan. 28 meeting after a split vote that left several members opposed.

Why it matters: the calendar determines the district’s instructional calendar, scheduled breaks and make-up day approach; changes to snow-day policy and Thanksgiving scheduling prompted pushback from families and some board members.

During discussion, multiple speakers said they had heard from students and families who prefer traditional snow days rather than built-in flex days. One board member said she would vote no because students “would like some snow days” and called the proposed flex-day approach unfair to children; other board members noted difficulty families face with half-days during Thanksgiving week and requested greater input from teachers and students in future calendar development. The administration acknowledged the concerns, said the calendar was developed after committee review and the committee recommended the presented option, and agreed to provide printed/colored copies of the calendar to board members and to seek additional input in the next cycle.

The board carried the calendar motion with a majority vote. Members who recorded a dissent cited two primary objections: (1) removal of traditional snow days in favor of flex days, and (2) the concentration of half-days during Thanksgiving week. Administration said the calendar will be communicated to families and that additional feedback will be sought during next year’s calendar discussions.

Ending

Board leaders directed staff to circulate the approved calendar and to include the calendar as a discussion item during upcoming strategic- and policy-planning meetings so the board and community can revisit scheduling preferences before the next cycle.