Board approves 2026–27 school calendar after teacher input; adds Monday after Easter as non‑student day

The North Platte Public Schools board on Dec. 8 approved the district’s 2026–27 school calendar after several revisions made in response to input from the North Platte Education Association and building principals.

Superintendent Dr. Rhodes said the calendar is the third iteration developed with teachers and principals; key changes include designating the Monday after Easter (March 29) as a non‑student, non‑contract day, moving parent‑teacher conferences to avoid back‑to‑back short weeks and pairing quarter‑end days with a professional development day and a non‑contract day to reduce teacher burnout.

During public comment, Kinsey Mulling, president of the North Platte Education Association, told trustees the association’s survey showed widespread dissatisfaction with the existing calendar and asked the board to adopt those changes, saying, “Teachers are burning out.” Rhodes said the revisions were a compromise intended to protect instructional time while addressing staff well‑being.

Board members who spoke in favor of the calendar said the changes reflect meaningful collaboration and compromise between district administration and educators. The motion to approve the 2026–27 calendar was moved and seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote.

What happens next: The approved calendar will be posted to the district website and distributed to families and staff; the board said there will be an opportunity to revisit details if necessary. Officials said they will monitor the calendar’s impacts on instruction and staff workload.

Vote: motion passed (roll-call vote recorded in the minutes).