Chester County School Board approves leadership training, adopts 2026–27 calendar and accepts seniors list
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Summary
The board approved funding for six NISL leadership trainees ($1,050 each), adopted calendar option A for 2026–27 after staff survey input, accepted a list of 128 reduced‑attendance seniors and 17 early graduates, and heard district updates including three reward school designations.
The Chester County School Board voted unanimously during its December meeting to fund year‑long leadership training for six district staff through a National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) cohort hosted at Freed‑Hardeman University and to adopt the district’s 2026–27 calendar (option A).
District staff described the NISL program as a combination of on‑site and virtual training beginning in January; the board approved funding for six participants at $1,050 per person after a motion, discussion of selection criteria and assurance participants had committed to the cohort. Staff said participants were selected because of current leadership roles or leadership potential and that the program requires a long‑term commitment from attendees.
On the calendar, staff explained a faculty advisory committee process and an internal vote narrowed choices to two drafts (A and G); option A prevailed in the internal tally by a narrow margin and was adopted by the board. Staff said the option differences are largely timing for spring break and minor variations in semester day counts; the final student calendar will end in May 2027 (staff provided May 2027 as the final work period but did not provide a definitive single calendar date in the meeting record).
The board also accepted a district list of seniors: staff reported 128 seniors who will attend less than a full schedule in the second semester (participating in dual enrollment or work‑based learning) and 17 students who have met all graduation requirements and will be early graduates. Staff stated the district’s ADM (average daily membership) is not impacted by those 17 early graduates for funding purposes. Board members discussed options for participation in May graduation activities and noted prior precedent for small early graduation ceremonies.
In district updates, staff reported optimistic signs in food service and maintenance operations and announced that Chester County Middle School, Eastchester Elementary and Westchester Elementary were designated as district 'reward schools' under accountability measures; embargoed state data supporting the designations will be released publicly later in the week.
The board’s regular procedural items were also approved: the meeting agenda and the consent agenda were adopted early in the session. The board adjourned and announced its next meeting for Jan. 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the district’s listed board location.