Board adopts 2026–27 school calendar with A/B-day consistency and adjusted spring break

The Washington County School District Board approved the 2026–27 academic calendar at its Jan. 6 meeting after a multiweek review with staff and board members.

Why it matters: The calendar sets instruction days, teacher prep time and breaks that families, extracurricular partners and regional districts use for planning; the adopted version introduces a more consistent A/B schedule and adjusts spring-semester prep days to balance days between semesters.

Key details - Start and end dates: Teachers will return Aug. 6, 2026; classes begin Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026; the last student day is Wednesday, May 26, 2027. Secondary graduations are scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to align with the final week. - A/B-day structure: Beginning in 2026–27, A days will consistently be Mondays and Wednesdays and B days will consistently be Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays will vary and require some communication to implement within semester balancing. - Spring and teacher prep adjustments: To even out semester day counts, a teacher prep day originally scheduled after spring break (March 15) was moved to the Friday before spring break (March 5). The board also created an additional break in April to avoid a long stretch with no break between spring break and the end of the year. - Athletics, concurrent enrollment and regional coordination: District staff and board members said the calendar was developed with regional partners and local athletic schedules in mind; some spring tournaments will still occur during spring break given region differences.

Board action: The motion to approve the calendar passed by voice vote (motion by Member Simmons; second by Member Gunn).

Ending: Staff will publish the calendar and notify families, schools and partner institutions; board members requested clear communication about the A/B schedule changes and Friday expectations for teachers and families.