Board hears recommendation for two‑year calendars; staff prefer longer winter breaks

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District calendar committee presented a recommended two‑year approach for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years at the Dec. 1 board meeting, urging the board to approve Option 1 — a schedule with a longer winter break — at its Dec. 15 meeting.

Director of Employee Services Dr. Barb Buffington and Director of Communications Shannon summarized the committee’s process, noting 652 staff responses for the 2026–27 option and 644 for 2027–28. Across both years, 58% of staff preferred Option 1, which includes a two‑week winter break and a later school year end date. The committee emphasized its three core principles: balancing student learning, staff wellness and family planning through a two‑year cycle; preserving time for professional development and collaboration; and ensuring compliance with state and contractual requirements.

In response to staff feedback, the committee removed half‑day placeholders in August and June and offered staff a choice: a full workday in August or split half‑day options in August and June. The printed calendar will display the full August workday as a "work flexibility day" while allowing individuals to choose the split option. Presenters also said calendars will be translated into Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin and Russian and made available as downloadable PDFs on the district website.

Board members asked whether the district had previously used a two‑week winter break (presenters said yes), suggested adding start/end times for elementary, middle and high schools on the calendar for family convenience, and proposed adding a family‑focused survey question to solicit broader community input. The recommendation is for information only on Dec. 1; the board is scheduled to vote on final approval on Dec. 15.

No final vote on the calendar occurred at the Dec. 1 meeting.