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Arlington ISD reviews draft 2026'027 calendar: Wednesday start, spacing of professional learning days and 171 instructional days
Summary
District staff presented a draft 2026'027 academic calendar that proposes a Wednesday start, five professional learning days in the year, and 171 instructional days; trustees raised concerns about religious observances, childcare impacts and an AP-test conflict on a proposed bad-weather date.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington ISD staff presented a draft of the 2026'027 academic calendar to the board on Dec. 11, highlighting a Wednesday start, spaced professional learning (PL) days, and compliance with state instructional-minute requirements.
Ginger Cole Leffel, who co-facilitated the calendar committee, said the draft reflects stakeholder feedback gathered through a thought-exchange, board governance input and committee work. The draft honors community preferences such as not starting school on a Monday, provides 171 instructional days overall, and spaces PL days so teachers have classroom prep time following professional learning.
Staff said the draft meets the 75,600 instructional-minute requirement for elementary and that a shortfall at the secondary level would be covered using the staff development waiver. The draft builds in five PL days for the current proposal (four in the following year) and schedules a Wednesday start (August 12).
Trustees asked targeted questions: Mister Wilbanks asked whether the calendar accounted for religious and cultural holidays and staff said they had consulted with a representative from the mayor's office and Jewish council and planned additional outreach; Trustee McMorrow asked which items on the thought-exchange rose to the top and staff said the most requested item was half-day training plus classroom prep time.
Staff flagged a scheduling conflict that will require adjustment: a proposed bad-weather day on May 1 would interrupt AP testing and will need to be moved. Staff said the draft will be shared with the community over the winter break for additional feedback and a proposed calendar will be returned to the board in January.
No formal vote was taken; staff are seeking input and will return with a calendar for board consideration.
