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Wichita Falls ISD trustees table decision on 2026–27 calendar after debate over October break
Summary
After public comment and extended trustee discussion about teacher breaks and student attendance, the board agreed to table a motion to adopt the 2026–27 calendar so staff can model adding an additional teacher day in October and circulate a revised calendar for review.
The Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday deferred a vote on the proposed 2026–27 school calendar after trustees and staff raised concerns about whether adding a weeklong October break would create hardships for families and reduce student instructional time.
Kayson Bivens, an assistant principal at Zundy Elementary, urged the board during public comment to consider a calendar that begins a week earlier and adds five strategically placed days off to reduce teacher burnout while keeping instructional minutes intact. "This isn't about adding or taking away days. It's about working smarter with the time we already have," Bivens said.
Ashley Thomas, the staff member who presented the district's preferred calendar option, told trustees the district advisory committee (DAC) reviewed two drafts and that 24 members participated in the DAC poll, with 58% preferring the presented option. Thomas said the option under consideration would start Aug. 13 and release students on May 19; she explained a full week off in October was not taken to the DAC because staff leaders were concerned about a higher share of low‑income students being left at home without supervision and about alignment with local colleges offering dual‑credit courses.
Trustees questioned the balance between teacher recovery time and parent hardship, noting attendance patterns after long weekends and the contractual difference between teacher work days and student instructional minutes. Several trustees asked whether the district could add a single planning day in October paired with a student holiday or offer a floating staff day. After a motion to adopt the presented calendar was made and seconded, the board agreed to table the adoption so Thomas could draft a revised calendar showing one additional teacher day and circulate it for review before the next meeting.
Thomas said she would make adjustments and email the board the revised calendar for review prior to the Monday meeting. The board did not take a final vote on the calendar at the session.
