Barrow County to post 2026'27 and 2027'28 academic calendars for public review

The Barrow County Board of Education approved a motion to post draft academic calendars for the 2026'27 and 2027'28 school years for a one-month public review period. The superintendent asked the board to solicit feedback before considering approval at the Dec. 2 board meeting.

Dr. Bowen, director of student support services, summarized outreach and draft details: the district surveyed more than 3,000 parents, staff and community members; common requests included eliminating digital instructional days, providing full weeks for fall and Thanksgiving breaks, a two'week winter break, spring break in the first week of April and ending the school year by Memorial Day.

The drafts are nearly identical year'to'year. Because Aug. 1 falls on a weekend in 2026, staff offered a July 31 start to enable a shorter first-week warm-up for students and to preserve a full fall break week. The proposal keeps MLK Day, provides a two'day February student weekend, a Friday off in March and schedules post'planning and graduations in the weeks after the final student day.

During discussion board members praised the extensive community input and noted that the calendar approach aims to reduce burdens associated with remote ''digital'' days on families. The superintendent recommended posting the drafts for one month; Mr. Callaway moved to post the calendars for review and Dr. Carey seconded. The motion carried; the board will consider final approval on Dec. 2.

The district indicated staff will accept public comments during the posting period and return any requested revisions to the Board for consideration in December.