Plainview ISD staff briefed trustees on how the district develops its instructional calendar and said the district voting period for calendar drafts closes tomorrow.

Why it matters: The instructional calendar determines school start and end dates, breaks, staff workdays and the minutes required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Changes affect families, staff scheduling and UIL athletic eligibility.

How the calendar is developed
A staff presenter explained the timeline and stakeholder process: "In November, we bring in the EIC, meet with them, get some feedback," she said, describing a planning window that runs from November through February. The district's Education Improvement Council (EIC) participates in draft review, the superintendent leadership team (SLT) reviews drafts, and the district sends a public voting link; the board typically receives a proposed calendar in February for approval.

Requirements and constraints
The presenter identified specific constraints the calendar must meet: 75,600 instructional minutes as required by TEA, UIL guidance on grading periods and eligibility, and the district's status as a District of Innovation, which the presenter said enabled a shift in staff contract days to 181. The calendar team also factors in professional-development days, bad-weather days, fall break, a two-week winter break and a Friday graduation when possible.

Community input, participation metrics
The presenter summarized recent participation and feedback: a fall survey showed about 51% of respondents favored the currently adopted calendar. The presenter cited prior-year digital engagement metrics — videos and survey views — to show how stakeholders review drafts before voting. The district's voting window for the current drafts was open and scheduled to close tomorrow, the presenter said.

Next steps and encouragement
After board approval the district will finalize employee calendars in HR systems, set grading periods with athletics staff and publish the calendar on the district website and social media. The presenter asked staff and families to participate in the vote while it is open.

Ending
Board members thanked staff for the detailed process and encouraged broad participation in the calendar vote.