Split vote on school calendar: board reverts to earlier draft after debate over spring break and Nov. 3 PD day
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Summary
The board voted 4–3 to adopt the calendar version shown at its November study session after an extended debate over moving spring break and whether Nov. 3 (election day) should be a non‑student professional development day.
The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools Board of Education narrowly approved a school calendar for 2026–27 following a contentious discussion over spring break timing and whether to use Nov. 3 (a general election day) as a staff development day.
Calendar committee member Director Cathern explained the committee received community feedback asking the district to align spring break with surrounding districts, but staff raised scheduling concerns: moving spring break into late March/early April would compress quarter lengths (one scenario produced a 37‑day third quarter and a 47‑day fourth quarter) and could force students returning from break straight into assessment windows. The committee proposed options that balanced quarter lengths and staff professional development requirements.
Safety and operational concerns also featured prominently. Several board members cited school‑building use as a polling place on Nov. 3 and described potential operational displacement for KidsCo and cafeteria/parking logistics. Some directors argued that precautions and on‑site senior leadership coverage have been sufficient in prior elections; others favored minimizing in‑school public‑access days. Director France framed the debate around student learning: "I personally, would like to see what's in the best interest of the students' education and coming back from a week long break right into [a] quarter." Those prioritizing staff logistics and community alignment urged shifting spring break.
Vote: After debate and a motion to revert to the calendar presented at the November study session, the board approved the amended motion 4–3. Directors favoring the reversion said it better balanced quarters and preserved staff development scheduling; those opposing expressed concerns about mid‑week non‑student days and safety when elections are held in school buildings.
Next steps: Staff will proceed with the adopted calendar schedule for 2026–27 and will continue outreach to stakeholders on logistics (transportation, KidsCo, and testing schedules).