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Garrett County board approves 2025–26 calendar with post‑Labor Day start; Veterans Day remains an instructional day
Summary
On March 11 the Garrett County Board of Education approved the 2025–26 academic calendar with a post‑Labor Day start (Sept. 2, 2025). The board rejected an amendment to make Veterans Day a holiday and kept several community holidays as school closures.
The Garrett County Board of Education voted March 11 to adopt the 2025–26 school calendar with a post‑Labor Day start on Sept. 2, 2025, after considering community survey results and a split but ultimately failed amendment to make Veterans Day a day off.
The board approved the calendar 3–1. Superintendent McCourt recommended adoption, saying, “My recommendation is the calendar presented tonight with a post Labor Day start.” The calendar committee presented survey results from 928 respondents showing 73% support for a post‑Labor Day start and broad backing for keeping Autumn Glory Friday, Thanksgiving Monday and Easter Monday as non‑instructional days.
The calendar committee — a 22‑member group of parents, community members, GCPS staff and union representatives — revised a pre‑Labor Day draft after community input. Committee and staff presenters said the changes respond to family vacation patterns, local employment considerations and weather concerns. Mr. Green presented the results and noted parents made up approximately 53% of respondents.
Board debate focused on Veterans Day. One board member moved to amend the recommendation to make Veterans Day a school holiday; the amendment was seconded. The amendment was tied 2–2 and failed. Several board members argued for keeping school in session on Nov. 11 to ensure students participate in Veterans Day programs in schools and local parades; others argued the date should be observed as a holiday. After the failed amendment the board took a final vote to adopt the calendar as presented. The final vote on the calendar passed 3–1.
The board president said the district will schedule the calendar development process earlier next year so families have notice sooner. The committee and staff noted teacher work‑day requirements and that altering parent‑teacher conference days would reduce professional development time for staff.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, community members raised concerns about transparency of the online calendar survey (one commenter said respondents’ names appeared beside comments in BoardDocs) and separate comments called for the board to publicly review charter‑school funding questions. The board said staff will review public feedback and follow up as appropriate.
The board said it will publish the adopted calendar and continue work to finalize related scheduling details before the 2025–26 school year begins.
