Board to consider naming new elementary school 'Crossroads' and aligning fall breaks with Cobb County

The superintendent told the board on Oct. 7 that staff will present a formal recommendation on Oct. 21 to name the district’s 20th elementary school Crossroads Elementary School, referencing the unincorporated community of Crossroads and the campus relationship with Crossroads Middle School.

Under board policy FDC and administrative regulation FDCR (facility naming), staff said the proposed name supports continuity for families who transition between the middle and elementary campus. The naming recommendation will return for a formal board vote on Oct. 21.

Staff also presented proposed modifications to the 2026–27, 2027–28 and 2028–29 school calendars to better align fall break with neighboring Cobb County, based on calendar‑survey feedback and commuting patterns. The proposal presented the following changes as staff framed them:

• For the 2026–27 calendar, change fall break from Sept. 28–Oct. 2, 2026 to Sept. 21–Sept. 25, 2026. • For the 2027–28 calendar, change fall break from Sept. 27–Oct. 1, 2027 to Sept. 20–Sept. 24, 2027. • For the 2028–29 calendar, staff proposed a similar shift in late September 2028 (dates presented in draft calendars).

Staff said about 17% of Paulding residents work in Cobb County and roughly 20% of district employees live in Cobb County; those labor patterns informed the recommendation to align breaks. Board member Chester asked staff to provide additional regional calendar context and economic‑development information to help the public understand why the district follows a modified calendar model.

Both the naming item and the calendar changes will be on the Oct. 21 meeting for final consideration.