School board tables proposed 2025–26 and 2026–27 calendars over conference/e‑learning questions

At a regular meeting of the Southwestern‑Jefferson Co Con, the school board voted to table approval of the proposed 2025–26 and 2026–27 calendars after members said the packet did not clearly specify how several special instructional days would be run.

Board discussion centered on three changes the calendar committee flagged: making the Wednesday before Thanksgiving a districtwide virtual (synchronous) day; treating scheduled parent‑teacher conference dates (Sept. 10, 2025, and Sept. 2, 2026) as asynchronous e‑learning days for the whole corporation; and adding a Friday, April 9, 2027, as a potential no‑school makeup day because Good Friday falls during spring break for the 2026–27 school year.

A committee representative told the board the conference days had been set aside by the middle and high schools and that the committee wanted them proposed as asynchronous e‑learning for all students. A board member said the packet language did not make clear whether the district intended synchronous or asynchronous instruction and urged consistent rules for elementary schedules if the district adopted a single e‑learning approach.

"I'd like to see some consistency from elementary... if they decide to do across the board or half a day or whatever," a board member said during discussion.

Because the calendar language around conference days and the Thanksgiving plan was not specific, a board member moved to table the item for further clarification and the motion was seconded; the board carried the motion by voice vote. The administration will return with clearer language about what constitutes an e‑learning day and whether individual buildings will implement different schedules.

Next steps: the calendar will return to a future board meeting after staff provides revised language on the conference day format and any building‑level differences.