CHSD 128 presents 2027–28 calendar with later August start and new religious-guidance notes

Dr. Koulentes presented the Community High School District 128 calendar committee’s recommended 2027–28 operational calendar and summarized community feedback gathered from nearly 1,000 survey responses. The committee’s top priorities were to start school later in August and to hold first-semester finals before winter break; the draft calendar begins student attendance the week of Aug. 15, with the first student day on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Why it matters: A later start date responds to strong community preference and shifts the district’s end-of-year timeline, with knock-on effects for graduation scheduling and summer programming. The committee emphasized balancing student and staff preferences while keeping the calendar operational (i.e., not creating additional mandated school days off beyond state-mandated religious holidays).

Details and implementation: Dr. Koulentes said the committee used a district survey of students, staff and families to rank calendar priorities and then drafted multiple calendar options. He said, “we received nearly 1,000 responses” and that the proposed calendar “starts August 15” with the first student day scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18. The draft places first-semester finals before winter break, reflecting a frequently stated student preference to avoid splitting finals across the holiday weekend.

Religious guidance policy: The committee recommended keeping the calendar operational while adding an explicit “religious guidance” notation (labeled in the draft as orange RG days) to communicate when religious observance may affect class activities. District staff explained that religious guidance days are not official days off but trigger classroom restrictions—staff are asked not to schedule major summative assessments or labs on those dates—and that students who miss school for religious observance will receive excused absences and will not be penalized academically. Director of Equity Mr. Varne was cited as responsible for strengthening staff communications so teachers consistently apply the guidance.

Board concerns and next steps: Board members pressed for clear implementation steps, including staff training, improved communications to families, and fixes to the attendance dropdown so religious observance can be accommodated without violating student privacy. One board member asked how extracurricular participation (for example, athletic practices) would be handled; administration said students who request and receive an accommodation under the guidance would not be penalized. The calendar and guidance remain recommendations until the board votes; staff said they will update the student handbook and district website calendar and will return for further action as required.

The board did not take a final vote on the calendar during the Committee of the Whole; the matter will move forward through the board review process and appear again for formal action.