The Catalina Foothills Unified School District Governing Board unanimously approved the 2026–27 school calendar at its Nov. 10 meeting and reviewed a preliminary 2027–28 calendar.

Associate Superintendent Mandy Westwood presented the adopted 2026–27 calendar, which sets new-teacher orientation for July 22, returning teachers for July 28 and the first student day on Monday, Aug. 3. The last student day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 (a half day for students; full day for staff). Westwood said the calendar balances site preferences and continuity with prior years and that elementary early-release/middle-school late-start schedule will be used the first week.

Board members discussed recruitment concerns linked to early start dates and noted administrators and staff provided feedback during the calendar development. One board member asked whether the earlier start puts the district at a hiring disadvantage compared with neighboring districts; staff replied the district is generally on par with regional practice. The board approved the 2026–27 calendar on a 5–0 vote.

The board also took up item 4.2, the first reading of the 2027–28 calendar. Westwood said the draft is patterned on the recently adopted calendar with new-teacher and returning-teacher dates shifted by one day (new teachers July 21; first day Aug. 2 for students). A typographical correction to an August date was noted and will be fixed before the next distribution. The 2027–28 calendar was presented for review and scheduled to return in two weeks for preliminary approval.

The board directed staff to publish the approved 2026–27 calendar and to continue soliciting feedback on the 2027–28 draft. No changes to the approved 2026–27 calendar were made at the meeting.