Parents present alternative two‑year school calendar; board to run community survey

A district parent design team presented a proposed alternative school calendar for 2027–28 that would shift the traditional distribution of breaks: later start (July 28), one‑week October break, a full week for Thanksgiving, two weeks each for winter and spring breaks, and a professional learning day scheduled the Monday after Easter.

Presenters Emily Allen and Samantha Hildreth said the committee used an interest‑based design process with teachers, classified staff, principals and parents and reviewed data on absenteeism and surrounding districts’ calendars. The team argued that moving two short high‑absence days (the two days before Thanksgiving) into a single full week would reduce absenteeism and allow a later start date than other districts.

Board members and staff asked how the alternative calendar would affect pay cycles, particularly for classified hourly employees. District leaders said the number of paid days and contracted workdays would not change, but paycheck timing could shift (more biweekly paychecks during the school year and smaller lump sums in summer). Staff committed to educational outreach for employees about pay‑period timing and to meet and confer with labor groups if the calendar advances.

The board endorsed moving the proposal into a community survey and outreach phase; if the community supports a non‑traditional calendar the district would return with recommended calendar options for board approval in November/December.