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Board reviews first draft of 2026 school calendar; options include built‑in snow day and added minutes for secondary students
Summary
On Nov. 17 the Northland Heights Board reviewed a first draft of the 2026 school calendar that proposes three options: keep the same calendar with one added day, remove a February in‑service day, or add five minutes to secondary schedules to create flexibility and built‑in snow‑day time; staff will hold two listening sessions before returning recommendations.
The Northland Heights Board of Education held a first reading Nov. 17 of a proposed 2026 school calendar and heard three options staff will present for wider feedback.
Superintendent (speaker S5) outlined the choices: Option 1 largely mirrors this year’s calendar with a net gain of one day; Option 2 would remove the February in‑service date to reduce fragmentation in the school year; Option 3 would add five minutes to 7–12 student schedules to help meet state minutes, speed bus runs, and provide a small buffer for snow‑day makeups. The superintendent said staff will take board feedback to two virtual listening sessions with teachers and other staff before bringing a recommendation back to committee.
Board members raised questions about how listening‑session feedback will be incorporated and asked for summaries of teacher input. One board member asked whether the district compares calendar patterns to neighboring districts or national norms; staff said local comparisons and national‑normed assessments are available but that calendar choices also reflect community rhythms (for example, Cranberry Fest and other local events).
The superintendent noted the draft includes one built‑in snow day and a two‑week Christmas break beginning Dec. 22 under the proposed options. Staff also flagged operational details such as bus loading times and the effect of added minutes on elementary dismissal patterns.
No calendar vote was scheduled at the meeting; staff will collect feedback, summarize the listening sessions for the board, and return with committee recommendations.
