Proposed 2026–27 Woburn school calendar fails on roll call; committee moves final decision to next meeting
Summary
After debate over Good Friday, bargaining impacts and public review, the committee’s roll‑call vote rejected the proposed 2026–27 school calendar; members voted to place the calendar on the next meeting agenda for further public input and resolution.
The Woburn School Committee’s Jan. 28 attempt to adopt the 2026–27 school calendar failed on a roll‑call vote after members raised concerns about collective‑bargaining implications and limited public opportunity to review the draft.
Dr. Crowley told the committee that Article 39 of the collective‑bargaining agreement dictates teacher report dates when Labor Day falls on certain dates, meaning teacher start dates will shift depending on the calendar. That led to discussion about whether Good Friday should remain a district holiday and whether the district should unilaterally change days now or address them through negotiations.
Committee members cited correspondence and emails saying the public had little time to review the calendar. At roll call the recorded votes were: Miss Chisholm — Yes; Miss Crowley — Yes; Mister Morenan — No; Miss Nagel — No; Mister Oliveira — No; Miss Wetzel — No; Miss Cormier — Yes. With more members voting “No” than “Yes,” the motion to adopt the calendar failed.
What happens next: A motion to place final calendar action on the next meeting agenda passed by voice vote, giving the public additional time to comment and allowing the committee to reconcile bargaining constraints before a final vote.
Context and implications: Administrators said the district has already used two snow days this school year, which factors into the makeup schedule; members also noted that any change touching negotiated teacher work dates would require coordination with unions. The committee directed staff to circulate the calendar and take public input before the next meeting.
