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Board reviews first reading of 2025–26 school calendar after survey; staff to consider cultural holidays
Summary
District staff presented a first reading of the draft 2025–26 calendar and survey results showing 577 responses (372 families, 205 staff); the board asked staff to consider cultural holidays (including Russian Orthodox observances) and return with revisions at the scheduled second reading.
Woodburn School District staff presented a first reading of the draft 2025–26 school calendar and summarized the results of a district survey used to shape the proposal.
Staff told the board the calendar was developed collaboratively with district associations and union representatives and that the draft would be posted for community feedback before a planned second reading. Presenter (speaker 1) said the survey collected 577 responses: 372 family responses and 205 staff responses. On the Labor Day question, results narrowly favored starting the school year before Labor Day overall; staff respondents more strongly favored a before‑Labor‑Day start (58%), while family responses were closer to an even split.
Board members and community representatives urged staff to consider holidays observed by the district’s diverse populations. A community member (speaker 4) described Russian Orthodox holidays—citing dates such as Jan. 7 and a varying Easter week—and asked whether PD days or workdays could be moved to reduce absences. Staff replied they had not received specific survey items about the Russian Orthodox community but agreed to accept calendars from community groups and to look for possible flexibility in PD scheduling before the second reading.
Board members also asked for additional demographic breakdowns of staff responses (by elementary/middle/high) and for the district to report attendance impacts associated with PD or late-start days. Staff said the district would consider those data requests and return to the board at the second reading.
