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Gilmer County board requests Friday professional learning days option, advances 2026–27 calendar draft
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Summary
Superintendent presented a 2026–27 school calendar that mirrors neighboring districts but includes three Wednesday professional learning days; after discussion about career-center conflicts and childcare for pre-K, the board asked the superintendent to return with a draft placing PL days on Fridays and approved the request by voice vote.
Superintendent Dr. Minnick presented the Gilmer County Schools proposed 2026–27 calendar, saying staff would start Aug. 10 and students Aug. 13 and that the plan mirrors neighboring districts to aid alignment with the career center. The draft includes a one-week Thanksgiving break, a two-week Christmas break, a one-week spring break and three professional learning (PL) days.
Board members questioned the draft’s three Wednesday PL days, noting they conflict with the career center schedule and create childcare and coverage problems for preschool families. A board member said Wednesday PL days can force pre-K makeups and reduce instructional time when students are present at different campuses. Dr. Minnick acknowledged the tradeoffs and offered to prepare an alternate draft with PL days on Fridays for the board’s next public calendar hearing.
The board voted to have the superintendent return with a calendar that places PL days on Fridays; the motion was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. The superintendent said the district also kept contingency "OS" days (to be converted to make-up days if needed) in the event of heavy winter closures and that the proposed last student day in the draft remains May 27, consistent with neighboring Calhoun County.
Why it matters: shifting PL days affects staff participation, preschool makeups and students who attend the career center. Moving PL days to Fridays could reduce childcare burdens for families and better align instruction time across partner districts; the alternate draft will be brought back at a subsequent public hearing.
Next steps: the superintendent will draft the alternate calendar with PL days on Fridays and present it at the next public calendar hearing for board consideration.
