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Board approves 2025-26 calendar change to give teachers full Thanksgiving week off, shifts start to late July/early August
Summary
The board approved a revision to the 2025-26 school calendar to give teachers the full week of Thanksgiving off and to stagger start dates at the end of July/beginning of August; trustees said the change aims to reduce absences and support instruction.
The Blount County Board of Education voted to revise the 2025-26 school-year calendar to give teachers the entire week of Thanksgiving off and to stagger student start days at the end of July and start of August.
Board member Erica Moore, who presented the proposal, said the calendar change is intended to reduce heavy absences during Thanksgiving week, protect average daily membership (ADM) that drives funding, and reduce substitute-teacher costs. Under the revision discussed at the meeting, school would begin with staggered days on July 31 and Aug. 1 (dates presented in the meeting), followed by a regular first full week of instruction. The change is intended to preserve roughly 90 instructional days before and after the break.
Why it matters: The board tied the calendar change to funding and classroom instruction. Moore said heavy absences during Thanksgiving have affected ADM and that offering the full week off will help families and reduce the need for substitutes.
Details and discussion: Moore described the shift as intended to give teachers time to prepare and to allow families to travel without disrupting instruction. The presenter explained that the district historically had to hold classes on Veterans Day; the revised calendar keeps Veterans Day off. The board discussed the rationale briefly and then approved the change by voice vote.
What the board did not specify at the meeting: The board did not publish a full calendar document with specific holidays and in-service days during the discussion; board members asked for discussion and then voted to approve the revision. The transcript records the motion, second and voice vote approving the calendar revision but does not include a full printed calendar in the meeting minutes.
Next steps: The board approved the revision; administration will incorporate the change into the final 2025-26 calendar and publish that calendar to families and staff.
