School committee adopts shortened 2025–26 calendar and conditionally approves 2026–27 version tied to Sept. 9 primary

The South Kingstown School Committee approved updates to the 2025–26 calendar and conditionally approved a 2026–27 calendar (version two) that depends on the state's primary election date.

A presenter explained the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education and the commissioner accepted a recommendation allowing districts to reduce the school year by two student days; the 2025–26 calendar reflects that reduction and adds two professional-development days (one in person and one virtual) for SKESP and NEASK. The committee moved to accept the calendar update and the motion passed.

On the 2026–27 plan, the committee approved a conditional calendar that assumes the state primary will be held on Sept. 9, 2026, pending the governor's signature. Mr. Peraza told the committee he was asking members to approve a conditional calendar so that professional-development scheduling would not create additional student days if the primary were moved. "Although essentially what I'm asking this body to do is approve a conditional calendar," he said.

Committee members asked whether the legal requirement that schools close on election day applies only to buildings actually used as polling places. The presenter clarified the district would not schedule professional-development activities in buildings that are used for polling so as not to interfere with the public; town officials earlier selected alternate polling sites because the high school will be affected by construction. The transcript records Broadrock and Oak Street as town-hosted polling sites for the primary.

The committee moved to approve the conditional 2026–27 calendar; the motion was seconded and passed. The item will remain conditional until the governor signs the change in the primary date and the district finalizes related scheduling.