The Olentangy Local School District presented two draft school calendars for 202627 and opened a 30-day public feedback period.

Dr. Feddy, presenting the drafts, said both options begin the student year Aug. 20, run 173 student days and end May 27; the drafts differ mainly on the timing of a teacher workday around winter break and the placement of spring break and the second-semester exchange day.

Why it matters: The calendar affects families planning vacations, transition events for students moving between school levels, and bargaining-agreement provisions tied to professional days. The district noted state attendance law (and board policy 8210) guides calendar-setting and that the district is well above statutory minimum instructional hours.

Option differences explained: In both drafts the semester break for students is December 18. In one option a teacher workday falls on Dec. 21 (end of first semester); in the other option the comparable teacher workday falls Jan. 4 (start of second semester). The other major variable is spring break: one calendar places spring break in the last full week of March; the other spans the last week of March into early April. The district also asked for feedback on whether the exchange day (second-semester conference day) should fall on Good Friday to extend spring break or later in April separate from spring break.

Dr. Feddy said the district will accept feedback through Sunday, Feb. 23, post materials on the district website and present a final draft for board consideration at the March 13 meeting. She encouraged staff, parents and community members to submit comments during the 30-day window.

Ending: The board will consider public feedback and present a final calendar for adoption at the March 13 meeting; no calendar decision was made at the Jan. 23 meeting.