Comal ISD staff on Dec. 11 presented two draft academic calendars for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years developed by the district educational improvement council (DEIC).

Ben Peacock described the calendar-development process and the DEIC’s priorities: start on a Tuesday in August, end before Memorial Day, schedule a January staff development day, a long Easter weekend, early releases on the final day of semesters, two weeks of professional development in August and building in banked days and instructional minutes to exceed the state minimum. The presentation said both drafts maintain the same number of instructional days and minutes as recent years.

Testing and graduation constraints: Staff said the new Student Success Tool testing system in 2028 requires a longer May testing window; to accommodate that while still ending school before Memorial Day in 2027–28, the district is proposing a later start date in August so the end of school moves one week later in May. Peacock also noted graduation commitments tied to Strahan Arena require ending school the week before Memorial Day.

DEIC support and process: Peacock reported strong DEIC engagement and high participation in meetings and surveys: 52 of 52 DEIC respondents supported the draft 2026–27 calendar and 51 of 52 supported the 2027–28 draft. Trustees asked clarifying questions about how the calendar interacts with COMALU staff-development sessions and state start-date rules; staff said COMALU schedules would not be affected and that statutory constraints such as the fourth‑Monday start rule were considered.

No vote: The presentation was informational; trustees asked questions but did not vote on the calendars at the Dec. 11 meeting.