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Greater Latrobe board adopts 2026-27 calendar amid concerns about Westmoreland Fair
Summary
The board approved the 2026-2027 school calendar with the first student day set for Aug. 24, 2026, after residents and a Westmoreland Fair Board member voiced concerns about overlap; the superintendent said excused absences can be arranged for students participating in fair activities.
The Greater Latrobe School District Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed 2026-2027 school calendar at its March 17 meeting, setting the first day for students as Aug. 24, 2026.
Several residents addressed the board during Hearing of Visitors I and II to raise concerns about the calendaroverlapping the Westmoreland Fair. Speakers included Chad Frye, Evan Frescura, Andrew Stas (who identified his Westmoreland Fair Board affiliation) and Todd Frescura; they urged the board to consider how the schedule would affect students who participate in fair activities.
Superintendent Dr. Kim Rieffannacht told the board the district recognizes the conflict with the fair, supports students involved in agriculture and fair activities, and said students who need to be excused to fully participate should contact their building principals to secure excused absences.
The calendar motion (Resolution 2025-2026 #132) passed by voice vote, 9-0. The board also approved related items on the agenda, including an international student placement and curriculum items discussed earlier in the meeting.
The minutes do not record a policy change altering the start date or automatic excused absences; the superintendent dvice in the public record is that excused absences can be secured through building principals.
