Waterloo Local holds public hearing on proposed two‑year school calendars; superintendent to seek formal adoption in January

The Waterloo Local Board of Education held the required public hearing on its proposed two‑year school calendars, and Superintendent (speaker 1) said he will recommend formal adoption at the board’s January organizational meeting. The hearing was opened under Ohio Revised Code section 3313.48, which requires public input before boards adopt school calendars.

The superintendent told the board the two‑year approach gives families and staff more time to plan and that the district’s proposed calendars exceed the statutory minimums: the plans include 182 teacher workdays and 173 student attendance days, and he said the calendars provide substantially more instruction hours than the law’s floor. He also described an anomaly in the 2026–27 calendar: because the Fortis County Fair falls late that year, classes would begin in late September (a September 26 start was discussed), which shortens winter and spring breaks to keep the school year ending in early June.

Board members and administrators discussed tradeoffs. Several board members said they prefer an earlier end to the school year even if it requires shorter, more concentrated breaks; others flagged family travel and traditional holiday practices as reasons to avoid a December 23 school day. The superintendent said he sought and used staff and administrative feedback and had provided drafts to the bargaining unit; he asked that any requested changes be raised promptly since he plans to return with a formal recommendation in January.

The hearing also included operational clarifications: certain days (marked as conference or comp days) count toward the statutory instructional hours, and adjusting spring break by swapping days would change the required number of student days at the end of the year. The superintendent walked board members through the impact on teacher contract days and explained options for recovering instructional time if the board favors a full spring week off.

The board took no immediate vote on calendar adoption at the meeting; the superintendent will bring the recommended calendar for a formal vote during the January organizational meeting. The public comment period for the hearing was left open and members of the community were invited to submit additional feedback before the adoption vote.