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Board fails to approve 2026–27 instructional calendar after debate over compliance and staff time
Summary
Board members debated a draft 2026–27 instructional calendar intended to move the division toward VDOE compliance for preschool programming; a motion to approve the proposed calendar failed on a roll-call vote and the board later voted to table the meeting schedule for further revision.
The Franklin City School Board debated a proposed 2026–27 instructional calendar on May 7, 2026 and declined to approve the draft during a heated discussion about student instructional time, staff wellness days and state compliance requirements.
Miss Thomas, who presented the calendar and related instructional adjustments, told the board a recent Virginia Department of Education monitoring visit found the preschool program out of compliance with a 5‑day-per-week expectation; she said the division must write a corrective action plan for the Virginia Preschool Initiative. She described the proposed calendar as an effort to move the division closer to compliance while preserving some wellness and holiday time for staff.
Board members pressed for clarity about consequences if the board did not approve the calendar. Miss Thomas said the board must either approve a calendar that meets the statutory clock-hour requirements or inform the state and receive guidance, and that the VDOE could withhold preschool funding if corrective steps were not taken. One board member raised concerns that removing wellness Fridays could aggravate staff morale and lead to turnover.
A motion to adopt the proposed calendar was moved and seconded but failed on a recorded roll-call vote. After further discussion, the board voted to table approval of the broader board meeting schedule and to revisit the calendar at a later meeting.
The board did not adopt a final instructional calendar at the May 7 meeting; Dr. Carter and staff were directed to continue developing options and the corrective action plan required for the preschool program.
