Valley View board approves 2026–27 calendar after public hearing on banked minutes

Valley View CUSD 365U’s Board of Education approved the 2026–27 school calendar on Jan. 26 after a brief public hearing on the district’s waiver request to convert banked early-release minutes into five full school-improvement days.

Superintendent Dr. Wood and calendar committee members told the board the district is consolidating minutes from early-release days into five staff-only school improvement days so that students are not scheduled to attend while staff complete professional work. An administrator explained that the shift required an extra step — a public hearing for the waiver — because the district is accounting for instructional minutes differently.

Parent and Romeoville resident Ruth Michaelson, who said she submitted comments by email, urged the board to consider the impact on working families. “85% are in the labor,” she said, noting that five full non-student days could present childcare and scheduling challenges for some parents. District staff responded that the April 5 date was changed to a day off based on community and staff feedback and that the modification will not affect summer school or extended-school-year programming for special-education students.

Board members asked questions about timing, holiday alignment and how surrounding districts schedule their calendars; administrators said the district’s start date remains similar to neighboring districts and that finals and holidays were considered. After discussion, the board voted to close the hearing and then approved the calendar as presented.

The board’s action was procedural approval of the calendar; the district will proceed with required waiver filings and provide details to families about the five school-improvement days and any available family supports.