Urbana board rejects proposed 2025'26 calendar amid debate on religious observances

The Urbana School District 116 board voted 3'3 against adopting the proposed 2025'26 district calendar after trustees disagreed about whether to add observance days for additional religious holidays.

Member Sherry, who served on the calendar committee, said she had "given this a lot of consideration" and said the district should be inclusive of all families when setting holidays. "I don't think I will support it," she told the board during discussion. Other trustees argued for different remedies, including polling communities and returning options to the calendar committee to seek consensus.

The roll-call vote recorded Member Hixon as "no," Member Baxley "yes," Member Langendorf "no," Vice President Exom "yes," President Palowski "no," and Member Jones "yes," resulting in a 3' 3 tie and a failed motion. Board members then voted to return the matter to the calendar committee, which will consider the alternative proposals that had been presented and report back before the next meeting.

Trustees discussed practical options the committee had considered (starting the school year earlier, using a winter remote day or adjusting staff workdays) and noted the committee had been split among three different proposals. The board asked staff to poll the calendar committee by email and return recommended alternatives to the full board for a future vote.

Next steps: the calendar committee will review the three proposals and attempt to reach consensus; the board expects an update at the next meeting and will publish the chosen option in advance of spring enrollment deadlines.