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Board tables 2026–27 district calendar after debate on virtual days; approves related education items
Summary
After questions about replacing snow days with virtual instruction days and implications for special education and contract negotiations, the board tabled the 2026–27 district calendar. The board approved an MOU with the teachers’ association to add a flex day, a ready‑to‑learn funded reading professional learning statement of work, and several education consent items.
The board discussed the proposed 2026–27 district calendar at length on Feb. 18 and ultimately voted to table the calendar to the next month to allow additional review and possible use of a special voting meeting. Administrators explained the calendar largely mirrors recent years but replaces designated snow days with virtual/flexible instruction days (VID/FID). They said the district’s Ready to Learn grant application and an MOU with the teachers’ union were factors in timing the calendar vote; administration said the Ready to Learn grant was approved after the committee‑of‑the‑whole (CAL) agenda was set and that the first professional development session funded by the grant begins March 2.
Board members asked whether there is a cap on virtual days, how special education and IEPs are handled on virtual days, whether Section 1502 (asterisked) days could be converted to student days if contract negotiations required it, and whether adding snow days would push the school year later. Superintendent Dr. Christy Haller said the Pennsylvania Department of Education has permitted use of virtual days in many circumstances and emphasized that the district provides asynchronous instruction plus office hours and supports for families; she also warned that converting planned professional development days into student days could affect planned curriculum implementation work (K–6 math and grades 5–6 ELA). After a straw poll and motions the board voted to table the calendar to the next meeting.
Separately the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Exeter Township Education Association to add a flex day (total of three) for 2026–27 (one member abstained due to spouse affiliation). The board also approved a close‑reading professional learning statement of work funded by a Ready to Learn grant and approved education consent items including two field trips beyond 60 miles and staff conferences (one member abstained on conferences due to spouse involvement).
