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Board reviews proposed 2025–26 school calendar; committee recommends fall and spring conferences, additional student day
Summary
The board received a non‑action presentation of the proposed 2025–26 school calendar from a 27‑member committee, which recommended adding a student contact day, scheduling spring and fall parent‑teacher conferences and shifting some professional development into job‑embedded coaching.
The Colorado Springs School District No. 11 Board of Education on Jan. 29 reviewed a proposed 2025–26 school calendar recommended by a 27‑member committee and presented as a non‑action item. The committee’s proposal adds one student contact day, maintains a minimum of four teacher work days, and aligns professional development toward job‑embedded coaching, staff said.
Ms. Otmer (district calendar lead) told the board the calendar committee followed district policy IC/ICA and joint council review, surveyed students, families and staff after this year’s fall break, and used that data to shape the draft. Survey results presented to the board showed majority support from students, families and staff for fall break and for offering both fall and spring parent‑teacher conferences; families preferred full days without students for conferences rather than half days.
The committee recommended shifting some professional development away from full‑day district PD toward embedded coaching during the school day and adding teacher work days at the start of the year. Staff also produced separate student and staff calendars to reduce complexity for families.
Board members thanked the committee for its work and discussed timing for calendar development. Director Nelson asked whether the committee could begin work earlier in the cycle — possibly in August — to provide families with earlier certainty about the next school year’s start date; staff agreed to consider accelerating the schedule so a non‑action presentation could occur in December. Directors also discussed whether spring conferences should remain in April or move earlier to March to allow more time for summer planning and interventions. Staff said conversations about summer bridge programs and MTSS referrals typically begin after spring break and continue into May.
Ending: The calendar will return as an action item at a subsequent meeting; the board invited public feedback and staff said the draft had received a thumbs‑up from joint council.
