Board delays approval of 2026–27 calendar amid debate over wellness days and banked hours

District staff presented results from a calendar survey (298 responses) and reviewed draft elementary and secondary calendars for 2026–27. The presenter reported respondent breakdowns (43% students, 21% parents, 18% teachers, 15% staff) and satisfaction measures: roughly 60% rated the current calendar as 4 or 5 on a five-point scale.

Board discussion focused on whether some early-release or half days should be designated explicitly as "wellness days." Several board members said staff had previously provided wellness days linked to holidays and that reinstating them would signal support for staff well-being. Others raised operational concerns: adding wellness days would reduce the district's banked instructional hours available to absorb weather disruptions and could require making up time later in the year.

"If we put four half-day wellness dates back in, that would take 16 hours out of our banked hours," one board member said during the discussion, and staff explained the district must ensure it maintains enough banked hours to avoid required make-up days if winter weather forces closures.

Because the impact on total instructional hours and on scheduling was not yet calculated, a board member moved to table the calendar and direct the calendar committee and staff to return with recommended placement and an analysis of how many wellness hours the board could sustain. The motion to table passed by voice vote.

The board did not approve a calendar at the March 10 meeting; staff will revisit the draft, run the banked-hours calculations and present an amended calendar for board consideration at a future meeting.