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Rochester schools propose 2027–28 calendar; district adds holiday for Eid al‑Adha
Summary
Superintendent and HR staff recommended the 2027–28 calendar that shifts start and end dates and designates May 5, 2028 a non‑instruction day to accommodate Eid al‑Adha after multi‑year attendance data showed lower student attendance on that holiday.
Superintendent Pickup and HR executive Carl Bachan presented the district’s proposed 2027–28 school calendar, which the board will consider for action at its June 16 meeting.
The calendar sets secondary step‑in and first day events in late August (secondary first day August 24; elementary first day August 25, 2027), continues a semester schedule and preserves four designated curriculum and development days. Bachan told the board the recommendation to make May 5, 2028 a non‑instructional day followed attendance analysis showing "significantly higher absenteeism on those days as students are celebrating their faith," and legal advice that the district can schedule a non‑school day when evidence shows students will be absent.
Board members who spoke in favor said the change improves alignment with family needs and thanked students and community partners who contributed feedback and site‑level design work. Several directors also praised earlier student schoolboard engagement and multilingual learning projects that informed the planning process.
Next steps The calendar will return for formal approval on June 16. District staff said they will continue to monitor attendance trends and will communicate timing details for back‑to‑school weeks and step‑in days to families well in advance.
Quote from the record "We have been tracking that student attendance. There's a significant drop in student attendance on the day leading up to the holiday, the holiday, and the day after the holiday," Carl Bachan said during the presentation.
