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Middlesex County School Board adopts earlier 2026–27 start, approves special‑education plan and advances policy updates
Summary
At its regular meeting the board voted to adopt a revised 2026–27 calendar tied to a new state start‑date rule, approved the division's IDEA Part B special‑education annual plan, and moved several policy updates to second reading. The board also heard program, budget and staffing updates.
The Middlesex County School Board voted to adopt a revised 2026–27 school calendar and approved the division’s special‑education annual plan during its regular meeting. Superintendent Dr. Seitz told the board the change follows a state law amendment allowing schools to start up to 14 days before Sept. 1 and recommended an earlier August start to increase consistency with regional partners.
Dr. Seitz said the division surveyed staff and families before making the recommendation: “We received 72 responses; 48 said they preferred the revised calendar and 20 said do not change it,” and he outlined accommodations for staff with preexisting summer commitments. He said the change would better align Middlesex with regional programs such as the Governor’s School and local athletic schedules.
The board also approved the Virginia Department of Education IDEA Part B special‑education annual plan, which a presenter summarized as based on the Dec. 1 child count. The presenter told the board the plan includes the equivalent of 4.5 full‑time special‑education teaching positions and cited a total allocation of about $338,000; it also includes a partial salary line (roughly $11,000) for an early‑childhood special‑education paraprofessional and about $4,000 earmarked for speech services to private‑school or homeschooled students. “These funds come from the federal government,” the presenter said when asked about the funding source.
Administrators reviewed several policy updates on first reading as part of the division’s five‑year review. Highlights included clarification of BDD (electronic participation) that currently limits remote participation to three meetings per member per year when remote attendance is allowed, a new policy entry required by the Code of Virginia addressing electronic room partitions (EBCBA), and a substantially rewritten FMLA policy drafted by VSBA attorneys that shifts procedural detail into regulations. The board voted to advance the policies to second reading.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval — moved/seconded and approved by voice vote. - IDEA Part B special‑education annual plan — motion approved; staff will forward the plan to the Virginia Department of Education. - Policies on first reading (multiple items) — moved to second reading. - 2026–27 calendar revision — motion carried; calendar will be implemented subject to final staff coordination and follow‑up. - Consent agenda — approved.
What’s next: policy items will return for a second reading before final adoption; the approved IDEA plan will be submitted to VDOE. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for May 11.
