Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Calendar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears proposed 2025'26 school calendar emphasizing teacher flex days and alignment with Harrisonburg
Summary
The calendar committee presented a draft 2025'26 calendar built from a ~2,000-response stakeholder survey that proposes two-week winter break, one-week spring break, three teacher flex days and alignment with Harrisonburg; board members asked questions about banked days and instructional hours.
The Rockingham County School Board received a presentation of a proposed 2025'26 school calendar that the calendar committee said balances instructional time, community preferences and teacher flex days.
Miss Abery, representing the calendar committee, told the board the committee of 16 stakeholders reviewed about 2,000 survey responses and aimed to align the calendar with Harrisonburg where practical because the divisions share resources such as the MTC. Key components of the proposal include 173.5 instructional days, 21.5 teacher work/professional learning days (including three required teacher flex days), a two'week winter break, and a one'week spring break.
Committee member Jana Pettit, a teacher at Broadway, said the draft calendar "checks all of my boxes" as a parent, teacher and employee and noted the committee prioritized community needs such as not scheduling school during the county fair and making back'to'school nights the week after fair week.
The calendar includes a different arrangement of teacher flex days: a block of flex/professional learning days in early August (Aug. 4'8) for administrators and divisionwide PD, plus optional flex days later in August for teachers who choose to work. The committee said the approach is intended to make flex days more meaningful for staff.
Board members asked about "banked days" (extra hours/days built into the schedule) and how many such days exist in the proposal; the presenter said there are roughly 15 banked days measured by hours but cautioned that missing many days could require make-up time because instructional hours (not days) determine compliance. Board members also praised the committee and expressed enthusiasm for the flex-day approach.
The calendar was presented for information and will return for action at a future meeting; the board did not adopt the calendar at this session.
Next steps: staff will provide any requested data on banked days and instructional hours before the board takes final action.
