CPS presents proposed two‑year academic calendar for 2026–28; board questions winter‑break semester timing

CPS Chief of Teaching and Learning Nikki Milberg presented a proposed two‑year academic calendar for 2026–27 and 2027–28 during the Jan. 14 agenda review committee. The recommended calendars would provide 176 student attendance days, 12 professional development days (aligned to collective bargaining), two family conference days and consistent spring breaks across both years.

Milberg said the district surveyed stakeholders this fall and received more than 14,000 responses: 63% supported adopting a two‑year calendar; 47% preferred a start date two weeks before Labor Day. The proposed 2026–27 year would begin Aug. 24, 2026, and end June 11, 2027; 2027–28 would start Aug. 23, 2027, and end June 9, 2028. Staff explained scheduling constraints: Labor Day falls late in 2026, leaving insufficient time to meet semester credit hours and thus preventing semester 1 from ending before winter break without starting the year earlier.

Board members pressed several points during Q&A. Member Thodakura and others asked whether additional targeted community engagement might change preferences if respondents were asked specifically whether they would accept an earlier start in exchange for ending second quarter before winter break. Members also raised concerns about aligning high school schedules with City Colleges for dual‑enrollment students, the impact on seniors needing first‑semester grades for college admissions, and the threshold for granting religious accommodation days (Good Friday was proposed as a professional development day, not a student attendance day).

Milberg said staff would return follow‑up analysis and noted there are no immediate financial implications for adopting the calendar; adoption would inform families and allow timely planning for hiring and program scheduling. The calendar was presented for consideration at the Jan. 29 board meeting.