Board adopts 2025–26 and 2026–27 calendars with 171 student contact days; members debate adding more student days

The Albert Lea Public School District board approved draft calendars for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years after a presentation from Directors Franks and Matson. Both calendars, as presented, include 171 student contact days and 11 district days; the proposals also include scheduled Albert Lea Academy professional-development days and two conference days.

District staff described the calendar-committee process, noting the committee included parents, administrators and teacher representatives who provided feedback on start dates, conference scheduling and professional-development needs. The board discussed tradeoffs between increasing student contact days and preserving professional-development time. Several directors said they favored more student contact days to maximize in-person instruction; other board members emphasized the importance of high-quality professional development and alignment with READ Act training requirements.

Questions from board members included whether the district had surveyed parents about start-date preferences (the administration said the committee solicits feedback through PTO representatives and building-level input), how Academy days support instructional goals, and whether future calendars could shift additional District days into student contact days. After discussion, the board approved both calendars as presented and asked administration to continue engaging stakeholders and to provide options for maximizing student contact days in future planning.