Wilkes County Board approves 2026–27 academic calendar over written dissent

The Wilkes County Board of Education voted 4–1 on Feb. 9 to adopt the 2026–2027 academic calendar, approving a 164‑student‑day schedule with a start date of Aug. 24, 2026.

Board member Dr. Donna Cotton did not cast a live vote; her opposition was recorded in a letter read aloud by Board Member Jammie Jolly. In the letter Cotton wrote that an Aug. 17 start “allows the ending of first semester and completing exams before the Christmas break,” which she said would better support continuity of learning and produce assessment scores more reflective of student learning. Cotton said she preferred the earlier calendar but acknowledged it would not meet the statutory start‑date requirements without “good cause.”

Superintendent D. Mark Byrd and board leaders said the calendar presented meets North Carolina General Statute 115C‑84.2, which allows school units to begin no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 unless they meet a statutory “good cause” criterion tied to prior weather closures. Board Member Kirk Walker moved to approve the calendar; Joan Caudill seconded the motion, which carried 4–1 with Cotton recorded as opposing by letter.

Board officials said the calendar committee met Nov. 20, 2025 and produced the proposed schedule after considering statutory constraints. The approved calendar will allow district staff to proceed with planning and other operational tasks tied to the start of the school year.

The board did not change the motion after the vote; next procedural steps are routine posting and administration of the calendar to schools and families.