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Board adopts traditional 2026–27 academic calendar after rejecting early‑start option

Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools Board of Education · December 17, 2025
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Summary

After extended debate about student days, payroll timing and statutory compliance, the board voted down a modified early‑start calendar and approved a traditional 2026–27 calendar; the decision carries payroll implications for 10‑month classified staff.

The Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education voted to adopt a traditional 2026–27 academic calendar after rejecting a modified early‑start alternative.

Chief Operations Officer Lauren Richards presented two options: a modified calendar with an earlier student start (modified: student start Aug. 10, last student day May 21) and a traditional calendar (student start Aug. 24, end June 4). Both proposals in the presentation had 178 student days and 16 staff workdays; Richards reminded the board that North Carolina law sets minimum requirements for certified staff days and student instructional hours and that a pending state bill could require additional adjustments. She said the district received more than 3,800 survey responses and described trade‑offs including graduation scheduling and payroll timing.

Board members debated schedule impacts on families and employees, the district's ineligibility for calendar waivers, the difficulty of measuring academic outcomes tied to calendar format, and payroll consequences for 10‑month classified staff (a traditional calendar could shift the first pay date for some classified employees to Sept. 15). Staff said it is possible to change classified pay to an end‑of‑month schedule with prepayment planning and that decisions should be made soon to accommodate scheduling work in the new Infinite Campus system.

A motion to approve the modified early‑start calendar failed; a subsequent motion to adopt the traditional calendar passed. Board members agreed to notify scheduling and payroll offices promptly so staff can plan for any pay‑date or scheduling changes. Several members urged that graduation planning, venue availability and family scheduling be factored into future calendar planning.