The board reviewed draft budget priorities and a 2026-27 school calendar prepared by the calendar committee. The priorities resolution emphasizes academic excellence, optimizing resources (including transportation), positive learning environments, and community partnerships as budget-development guideposts.

Director Cawthorn presented the calendar committee's work: committee members include principals, teachers, district teaching-and-learning and HR representatives, and the calendar draft reflects committee feedback on elementary daytime conferences and different placements for professional development days.

One proposal that drew board attention was a staff recommendation to make Tuesday, Nov. 3, a student day off because one campus serves as a polling place. Board members asked whether the change should apply districtwide, be limited to the affected school, or be moved to a Monday or Friday; the safety rationale and operational impacts were requested in writing. Directors also questioned a Jan. 4 staff-development day that would follow winter break and asked the administration to consider moving or redistributing staff days.

Why it matters: calendar changes affect roughly 8,000 students and many working families. Directors emphasized balancing instructional time with staff professional development and community needs for predictable scheduling.

Next steps: administration said it would take the board's feedback, consult the calendar committee, and return on Dec. 8 with potential alternatives for the Nov. 3 and Jan. 4 days and an updated calendar for formal approval.