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Ralston presents three draft school calendars after 311‑response survey; board asks for revisions before November vote
Summary
Superintendent presented three draft calendars for 2026–27 and two for 2027–28 based on a staff and parent survey (311 responses). The board asked staff to revise drafts to address concerns about conference comp days, two‑week winter break, PD scheduling and potential effects on childcare and school nutrition programs; a revised set will return for
Superintendent Dr. Provanca presented three draft calendars for the 2026–27 school year and two drafts for 2027–28 on Oct. 27, asking the board to provide feedback before staff circulates revised versions to parents and employees.
The drafts reflect priorities identified in a two‑week survey of staff and parents (about 311 responses, including Spanish replies). The most‑cited preferences were restoring comp days after conferences (many respondents prefer Fridays), keeping professional development off Fridays so staff do not lose planning time, and preserving a robust two‑week winter break. Draft 1 emphasizes balanced semesters and avoiding PD on Fridays; Draft 2 offers a full two‑week winter break and flexible staff work days before or after the break; Draft 3 moves spring break earlier in March to reduce instruction disruption around testing.
Board members and staff discussed tradeoffs that the drafts impose. Administration said not every building can share the same conference night (logistics and interpreter availability), so comp days cannot benefit every building equally. Staff also highlighted semester‑day balance problems that can push the school year past Memorial Day if winter break is extended without adjusting start dates. Administrators emphasized it is not possible to perfectly align Ralston’s breaks with all neighboring districts because many districts have not yet released calendars.
Several trustees raised concerns about secondary impacts: lengthy two‑week breaks can create childcare burdens for families who rely on school as supervised care, and administration reminded the board that long breaks can reduce access to school‑provided meals. Board members asked that early‑childhood and Title XX funding uncertainty be considered in the final drafts; staff agreed to add language addressing potential federal funding shifts and to preserve options that limit adverse effects on early‑childhood programs.
Next steps: Superintendent Provanca said staff will prepare two revised drafts for each year, incorporate board feedback, send condensed rationale and revised calendars to staff and families for further comment, and return updated calendars for board review in November. The board identified a target of voting on a final calendar at one of the November meetings.
