Superintendent summarizes community survey on calendar, spring break preferences split
November 06, 2025 | Downingtown Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Superintendent Dr. Robert (Dr.) O'Donnell reviewed feedback from a district survey on academic calendar options and summarized differences among parents, staff and students.
Dr. O'Donnell said the district received about 3,600 responses from parents/guardians, roughly 1,200 from students and about 470 from staff. The survey asked questions about the Friday after Labor Day, the timing of spring break (near Easter versus earlier in March) and whether spring break should be a full week or shortened when bookend constraints make scheduling difficult.
He said staff respondents often favored a shorter first week of school (a four‑day soft start) to help with professional development and classroom stamina, while parents were less inclined to move the Friday after Labor Day. When asked about spring break timing, responses were split between near Easter and March; an open‑ended theme included requests for a soft start and a four‑day first week in some years. When a full week is not feasible, respondents showed a preference for a Thursday–Monday shortened break rather than a single‑day change.
Dr. O'Donnell said the district will bring a 2026–27 calendar proposal to the board that considers the 180‑day requirement, contractual days and religious holidays, and will consult faculty leaders and parent groups before finalizing. He asked board members for feedback on preferences and implementation considerations.
The transcript contains detailed numeric response counts presented by Dr. O'Donnell but does not include a finalized calendar in this meeting; the superintendent said staff will return with a calendar proposal for board consideration.
Dr. O'Donnell said the district received about 3,600 responses from parents/guardians, roughly 1,200 from students and about 470 from staff. The survey asked questions about the Friday after Labor Day, the timing of spring break (near Easter versus earlier in March) and whether spring break should be a full week or shortened when bookend constraints make scheduling difficult.
He said staff respondents often favored a shorter first week of school (a four‑day soft start) to help with professional development and classroom stamina, while parents were less inclined to move the Friday after Labor Day. When asked about spring break timing, responses were split between near Easter and March; an open‑ended theme included requests for a soft start and a four‑day first week in some years. When a full week is not feasible, respondents showed a preference for a Thursday–Monday shortened break rather than a single‑day change.
Dr. O'Donnell said the district will bring a 2026–27 calendar proposal to the board that considers the 180‑day requirement, contractual days and religious holidays, and will consult faculty leaders and parent groups before finalizing. He asked board members for feedback on preferences and implementation considerations.
The transcript contains detailed numeric response counts presented by Dr. O'Donnell but does not include a finalized calendar in this meeting; the superintendent said staff will return with a calendar proposal for board consideration.
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