Osborn board deadlocks on 2025–26 calendar choice; approves routine items including preschool rates and open enrollment

The Osborn Elementary District governing board considered two proposed school calendars for 2025–26 but did not adopt either option after two separate motions resulted in 2–2 ties, leaving the item unresolved for reconsideration in January.

Superintendent Dr. Robert presented two versions the district had developed after staff, parent and Osborn Education Association (OEA) input. Calendar A largely keeps the current schedule (an August start aligned with Phoenix Union), keeps the district’s early-release rhythm and preserves a board-declared holiday in April. Calendar B would add a midyear staff day for professional development on Jan. 5 and create a two-day “soft start” for students at the end of July/beginning of August so teachers could prepare; Calendar B would require an additional day to be added elsewhere in the year to preserve the statutory 180 student days.

Dr. Robert described staff input and a near-even split in staff preference: “The raw data showed a preference for calendar a over calendar b,” he said, reporting roughly 54% for calendar A and 46% for calendar B after staff review and follow-up clarifications. The presentation explained payroll and attendance considerations tied to Indigenous Peoples’ Day and other holidays, and emphasized alignment with Phoenix Union as a principal concern for many respondents.

After discussion, Board member Ford moved to approve Calendar A; another board member seconded. The board vote was recorded as a voice vote and the chair declared two ayes and no nays at that moment; in subsequent roll-call-style confirmations the final tally reached a 2–2 split and the motion failed. A second motion to approve Calendar B likewise resulted in a 2–2 tie and failed. Board members said they plan to revisit the calendar decisions at the January meeting and requested clearer messaging and additional staff input about attendance and family impacts.

Votes at a glance (formal action on items during this meeting): - Consent agenda (minutes corrections noted): moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; no opposition recorded. - School calendars for 2025–26 and 2026–27: two separate motions (Calendar A then Calendar B) each failed on a 2–2 tie vote; no calendar adopted at this meeting. Board agreed to return the item for action in January. - Preschool tuition rates for 2025–26: board approved recommendation to keep existing rates with no change. - Open enrollment capacity for 2025–26: board approved the recommended capacity and directed registration timeline; district noted February as the window for out-of-district lottery consideration. - ASBA policy revisions (second reading): board approved the recommended revisions (no changes at second reading).

Board members debated trade-offs between alignment with Phoenix Union, scheduling preferences for staff professional learning and family childcare implications for midyear staff days. Multiple board members said they would like additional data — for example, absence rates immediately before Thanksgiving and attendance patterns during the early weeks of school — before finalizing a multi-year calendar.

The board asked staff to return with corrected calendar materials and to reopen discussion in January so the board can adopt a calendar with a full five-member board present.