Anson County board approves tentative 2026–27 calendar after discussion over earlier start

The Anson County Board of Education approved a tentative 2026–27 calendar after an extended discussion about an earlier start to the school year and requests for more teacher planning time.

Board members praised the inclusion of October workdays intended to give staff and students a break. "I just wanted to add that I'm excited to see that there's some workdays in October... because I think it gets to be a long time when there's not a break," one board member said, urging the inclusion of planning time before marking periods end. Another board member asked whether the earlier start was driven by a change in state law; the superintendent and committee members explained it was to ensure sufficient instructional days in the first semester and that many districts are following a similar approach.

Several members noted concerns about the magnitude of the shift to an earlier start, and one speaker said a bill under consideration could give districts more flexibility in the future. The chair framed the calendar change as an effort to "make sure we do exactly what we just said that we're all about doing" — providing more full instructional days.

After discussion and an expression of consensus, the chair moved to approve the calendar; Miss Bennett seconded the motion and the board approved the tentative calendar by voice vote. The chair said amendments could be made later if needed. The board also asked staff to consider minor amendments raised (for example, parent-teacher conference scheduling) and return with changes if required.

The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting record does not show a roll-call tally.