School committee adopts pre–Labor Day start for 2026‑27 and designates Juneteenth observance

The North Andover School Committee on Jan. 29 adopted the district calendar that starts the 2026–27 school year before Labor Day and amended the calendar to recognize Juneteenth.

During discussion Superintendent Lathrop presented two calendar options: a pre–Labor Day start with students returning Sept. 2 (teachers Aug. 31) and a post–Labor Day start (Sept. 8). The committee considered family scheduling, collective‑bargaining constraints in the teachers’ contract and survey feedback from staff. "The overwhelmingly the emails I got were about, everyone feeling most comfortable with before Labor Day," a committee member said. The committee moved to adopt the pre–Labor Day option and then approved a friendly amendment to designate Juneteenth observance on June 18 for next year.

The chair announced the motion carried by voice vote after both the amendment and the calendar were approved. Committee members asked staff to consider how calendar decisions and strategic planning timelines could be communicated earlier to support summer programs and family planning.

Committee discussion clarified contract limits that govern earliest teacher start dates and the district’s practice of offering floating holidays when state observances fall on non‑work days. No financial impact was identified by the superintendent during the discussion.

The adopted calendar sets the first day for grades 1–12 on Sept. 2, 2026; kindergarten start dates and other details will be handled separately as usual. The committee noted the calendar will be posted through district channels and that staff will continue outreach to families about schedule details.