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Henrico board reviews 2027–28 draft calendar, recommends April approval after stakeholder feedback
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Boyd presented a proposed 2027–28 school calendar that reduces student half days, shifts a wellness day to spring, and adds a half clerical day; the board discussed communication plans and staggered-start implementation for transition grades ahead of an April 30 approval vote.
Dr. Boyd presented the proposed 2027–28 school calendar on March 26, saying the plan was developed by a calendar committee and informed by extensive stakeholder engagement.
"The calendar reflects a thoughtful iterative process grounded in stakeholder engagement, state requirements, and our commitment to supporting students, staff, and families," Dr. Boyd said, describing community survey feedback and the committee's priorities.
The recommendation contains three substantive changes: reduce student half days from three to two; move one wellness day from the fall to the spring so both wellness days occur in the second semester; and convert a fall half clerical day to add 0.5 of a clerical day. The proposed calendar keeps major breaks (Thanksgiving, winter and spring) and concludes on June 2. Dr. Boyd told the board the division received 3,970 survey responses that informed the proposal and recommended sending the calendar to the April 30 monthly meeting for final action.
Board members focused questions on implementation and communications. Mrs. Canella asked that the calendar explicitly label the wellness day that falls near Easter as "Easter Monday/wellness day" for constituents who observe that holiday. Mrs. Atkins pressed for a clear, repeated, multilingual communications plan so families understand the staggered-start assignments. Staff said schools will use division templates, school websites and ParentSquare to notify families and will publish school-specific staggered-start assignments by June 1.
On operational detail, the board asked how schools should assign pre-K and kindergarten students to Day A or Day B. Staff said schools have discretion to choose an equitable balancing method (alphabetic splits, alternating enrollments, or splitting classes) but must ensure families know their child's assigned day at enrollment.
Board members also asked about how many banked hours remain for make-up time. Staff said the division plans calendars to meet the 990-hour state requirement and estimates banked time roughly equivalent to 10 school days in the current year (staff noted the division measures in hours and that the figure can vary by level). Staff explained that remote instruction may be used in specific circumstances when allowed, but calendar adjustments remain an option if closures exceed remaining banked time.
The superintendent recommended the board approve the calendar at the April 30 meeting and asked for flexibility to revisit staggered-start logistics after the inaugural implementation in 2026–27.
The board did not take final action on the 2027–28 calendar at the March 26 work session; Dr. Boyd requested a vote at the April 30 regular meeting.
