Board tentatively sets last student day for June 5 pending governor's signature on House Bill 5797

At a May 26 special meeting, the Cheboygan Area Schools Board of Education heard district staff explain written guidance from the Michigan Department of Education and the status of House Bill 5797, which staff said has passed both chambers and is awaiting the governor's signature. District staff recommended, and the board approved, a tentative last student day of June 5, 2026, with June 4 and 5 as half days, contingent on the governor's signature.

Spencer, the staff member who presented the MDE notice, said the department identified four blizzard dates (May 12, 13, 16 and 17) and confirmed the district was eligible for three of those four days. He added that the department also granted an additional five days because the district had been under a state of emergency for winter storms and flooding. "If you do the math, we can go back to our original end date of June 5th," Spencer said during his presentation.

Board members made the motion to change the calendar with the condition that the governor sign the bill. Board members recorded their votes aloud; the motion carried with vocal "yes" responses from the members recorded on the roll.

Why it matters: The MDE determination and the pending state bill affect planning for teachers, families and district operations, including vacation planning, professional development days and summer programs. District staff emphasized the change is tentative until the governor signs House Bill 5797; the board and staff said they are proceeding with scheduling and communication to families while awaiting formal signature.

What happens next: The board's change is contingent on the governor signing House Bill 5797. District staff said they will proceed with planning for the June 5 date for now and will update families once the governor acts. The board did not alter other calendar items at the meeting.