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Board approves 2025–26 calendar with Friday early dismissals for elementary schools
Summary
After debate over professional development timing and instructional minutes, the board approved Calendar Option 3 for 2025–26, which adds six Friday early dismissals for K–5 and two Monday late arrivals to support K–3 literacy professional development. The vote passed 5–2.
The Darien Board of Education approved the 2025–26 school district calendar (Option 3) on June 24 after extended discussion about professional development timing and instructional minutes.
Option 3 focuses on K–3 literacy rollout and adds six Friday early dismissal days for kindergarten through grade 5 and two Monday late arrivals around school breaks. Board members and staff said the option preserved existing middle‑ and high‑school schedules while targeting additional PLC/professional development time to elementary grades implementing the K–3 literacy initiative.
Supporters said the calendar is a one‑year plan designed to provide concentrated professional development and avoid an implementation dip in the first year of a new initiative. Opponents argued the option reduces in‑seat instructional time for students and asked whether some PD work could be consolidated into existing PD days to limit lost instructional time.
Vote: The motion to adopt Calendar Option 3 passed. The presiding officer read the roll call for the vote as: John, Sarah, Joanna, Maroney and Katie in favor; Greg and Dave opposed. No abstentions were recorded.
Next steps: Administration will implement the calendar and schedule communications to families. Staff noted that many details about the content of PD days were provided in the packet and that elementary PLC days will specifically support the K–3 literacy rollout.
