Chappaqua board shifts spring break to April, moves December travel day

The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education on Jan. 14 agreed to pursue a revised 2026 calendar that starts school after Labor Day, moves spring break into April and trades a discretionary day to Dec. 23 to address community travel and attendance concerns.

Superintendent Dr. Ackerman told the board that calendar options were narrowed after reviewing public comments and consulting Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. He emphasized limits imposed by state testing and inter-district coordination, saying that "the New York State Education Department decides the last day [of school], and it's connected to the Regents exams" and that those mandated dates constrain how the district can move other days.

Board members discussed three main dynamics: minimizing disruption to families who travel, aligning with BOCES and neighboring district schedules where possible, and preserving Good Friday as a staff day off. Multiple members said Draft C best responded to the feedback they had collected, and student representative Matthew said he preferred the April break because it spaces the midyear breaks more evenly.

By the end of the discussion the board agreed that administration should publish the Draft C calendar reflecting the changes (spring break in April, Dec. 23 off, March 29 in session) and present the calendar for formal adoption at the board’s second January meeting. The superintendent said the revised calendar would be shared with the community immediately and noted that necessary adjustments to building-level schedules will follow.

Why it matters: The change is intended to reduce the back-to-back winter–March breaks that parents flagged in district feedback, while keeping the district within state requirements for exam scheduling. The board asked administration to track any attendance impacts once the calendar is adopted.