Student board member announces March community conversations and selection of 2027–28 school calendar

Alden Swanson, student member of the Kent County Public Schools board, told the Feb. 9 meeting that the district will hold two community conversation sessions in March and that the board chose Option 2 for the 2027–28 school calendar.

Swanson said the first community conversation will be Thursday, March 5, 2027, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kent County Middle School and is aimed at parents of students in grades 6–12. The second is Thursday, March 12, 2027, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Garnett Elementary School for parents of pre-K through fifth grade. He listed discussion topics that will be on the agenda: cell phones in schools, student achievement, social-emotional support, the Kent County Middle School construction project, and next year’s budget. "These conversations are aimed to hear directly from stakeholders, which is you," Swanson said, and encouraged broad participation.

On the calendar, Swanson said the district presented three options in a districtwide survey that drew a record 659 respondents. "After reviewing the preferences indicated on the survey, we've decided to go with option 2," he said, describing it as a pre–Labor Day start with a long winter break, a short spring break, and a last day of school on June 11, 2027. Swanson thanked respondents and specifically praised student engagement in the survey process.

Swanson urged stakeholders to attend the sessions and share feedback: "So save the dates and come out to talk to us." The report concluded with a reminder that input from parents, staff, and students will inform board decisions.