District proposes revised school calendar for 2025-2026 with full PD days

The Holliston Public Schools School Committee convened on March 27, 2025, to discuss the upcoming school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. The meeting focused primarily on the challenges of scheduling, particularly regarding professional development (PD) days and student attendance requirements.

The discussion began with a review of proposed trial schedules presented by Sarah, a committee member. The committee acknowledged the complexity of balancing the number of instructional days for students with the contractual obligations for staff, which require 185 days of work. Students are mandated to attend a minimum of 180 days, leading to a need for careful planning of the school calendar.

A significant point of contention was the scheduling of PD days. The committee noted that many surrounding districts have opted for a January 2 holiday and an end date around June 18. However, the Holliston district is considering a final school day of June 22, which would likely be a half day, to accommodate potential snow days. The committee emphasized the importance of full PD days for effective training, particularly in social-emotional learning (SEL), as they allow for more meaningful professional development compared to half days.

The conversation also touched on past attempts to combine full and half PD days, which had resulted in a reduction of instructional time for students. The committee expressed concern that any changes to the proposed calendar must still meet the contractual requirements for teachers while ensuring that students receive adequate learning time.

In conclusion, the committee is working towards finalizing a school calendar that balances the needs of students and staff while adhering to state requirements. The next steps will involve further discussions to refine the proposed schedule and ensure that all stakeholders are considered in the decision-making process.