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Oak Park–River Forest board discusses one‑year calendar shift for 2026–27 tied to Project 2 construction
Summary
Board members and staff discussed a one‑year shift to the 2026–27 school calendar after Project 2 construction turnover is expected Aug. 13; administrators said athletic and PE spaces and equipment must be reset before students occupy the building, and the calendar item will return to the board in two weeks for action.
The Oak Park–River Forest School District 200 board on Tuesday reviewed a proposed one‑year change to the 2026–27 school calendar that administrators say is required because of the timing of Project 2 construction.
Administrators told the board the district expects turnover of the renovated spaces on Aug. 13, leaving limited time to install equipment, set classrooms and allow teachers to learn new layouts before students arrive. "Once this gets turned over to us, which is not expected until August 13, they have to get all of the equipment, all of everything back into that space so that it can be used by the students," a district administrator said.
Board members pressed for details about which programs would be disrupted. One member asked why construction in a portion of the building would force a later start for the entire school; administration replied that certain programs, especially athletic and physical education spaces, would be substantially disrupted and require a brief delay for safe, normal instruction.
Several board members raised concerns about Advanced Placement classes and AP exam preparation if semester timing and final exam schedules move later into January. A faculty representative and a longtime AP teacher on the calendar committee said the district had used similar calendars in the past and emphasized measures to protect students, including a commitment to "no new assignments" during the break and a "pencils down" approach for the first day back.
Administration said the calendar change is a single, construction‑driven adjustment for the 2026–27 year and that a broader, long‑term calendar change would require a separate, more formal community process. The board was told the item will return for formal action in two weeks.
The board did not take a final vote on the calendar at Tuesday’s meeting; staff pledged to expand communication to families and faculty before the next hearing.
