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Mahtomedi board adopts 2026–27 academic calendar after debate on earlier start
Summary
After discussion about impacts on families and student seasonal work, the board approved a calendar that begins Aug. 31, a change tied to construction planning funded by the district referendum.
The Mahtomedi Public School District school board voted Nov. 10 to adopt the 2026–27 academic calendar, shifting the start date to Aug. 31 to provide flexibility for planned construction work enabled by recently approved referendum funds.
District staff said the earlier start is permitted under state legislation because the referendum funds will finance more than $400,000 in construction projects and that moving the start date by one day would not shorten the overall summer break for students (SEG 1046–1063). "One of the reasons that is able to happen now is because with the passage of the referendum, we will be doing construction projects that would benefit from having that slightly earlier start time," a district official said.
The calendar drew objections from some board members and residents concerned about family disruption. "The overwhelming majority of people in the community that I've heard from, have really advised against voting for the calendar change," a board member said (SEG 1185–1193). Student representative Matt Studenski also flagged a possible conflict with seasonal employment tied to the state fair, saying many high-school students rely on fair jobs and could miss employment opportunities if start dates change (SEG 1201–1208).
Board discussion noted the proposal keeps the same total number of summer weeks by ending the school year earlier in 2026 and by offering a long Labor Day weekend. Supporters argued an earlier start helps academic pacing for AP and other semester-timed courses; opponents emphasized family scheduling impacts.
A motion to approve the calendar was made and seconded; the board took a roll-call-style vote. The roll call recorded 'No' from Director Dohman (SEG 1234–1235) and Director King (SEG 1240–1241) and 'Aye' votes from at least three other directors in the minutes (SEG 1236–1239, SEG 1242). The board chair declared the motion carried.
The calendar change is for the coming 2026–27 school year; board members noted the board can revisit the decision next year if needed. The district said staff will provide implementation timelines and updates to the board beginning in December.
The board did not tie immediate additional spending requests to the calendar vote at the meeting; construction projects referenced are planned for 2027 with lead times that staff said will dictate final schedules.
Next steps: staff will continue planning and report schedule and construction details at upcoming board meetings.
