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MNPS board amends school calendar to accommodate Oct. 7 and Dec. 2 special elections; state approval pending
Summary
The board unanimously approved swapping Oct. 7 with Oct. 10 and Dec. 2 with Jan. 6 on the district calendar to accommodate two special elections called by Governor Lee; staff said they have asked the state about declaring an emergency event day and plan extensive communications to families and staff.
The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board voted unanimously to amend the 2025–26 school calendar to accommodate special elections called by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Oct. 7 and Dec. 2 to fill a U.S. House seat.
Chief of Operations Morris Sullivan explained the recommendation: swap the instructional day scheduled for Oct. 7 with the professional development day on Oct. 10, and swap Dec. 2 with Jan. 6 so that students will not be in school on election days. “We do have about 20 sites that will be involved in this election,” Sullivan said. He told the board the swaps preserve instructional time while prioritizing student and staff safety.
Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Schools, added that the district plans to apply to the state to count the Oct. 10 date as an emergency event day if necessary — the same statutory authority that allows the director to declare inclement-weather days — so the district can meet the required number of instructional days. Board members asked about state approval; staff said they had attempted to contact state officials and expected a response but had not yet received one.
Staff described outreach done before the recommendation, saying they had consulted bus driver and union representatives, SC I U partners, the MNEA and school principals, families and students. Board members asked about communication plans; staff said communications would include social posts, website updates, email and possible automated calls to ensure families understand the swapped days and the district’s emphasis on attendance.
Staff also described the district’s approach to incremental lost instructional days: the board will borrow one inclement-weather day as part of this plan, leaving five inclement-weather days remaining; if the district exceeds those days, it can use two virtual days the district keeps in reserve, and staff will begin preparations and communications should that become necessary.
A motion to amend the calendar was made, seconded and approved unanimously. Staff said they will not finalize communications until any necessary state approvals are confirmed.
