Gadsden Independent Schools staff presented a proposed revision to the 2025-26 school calendar at a district work session, asking the board to consider two additional no-student staff days to provide time for planning and staff wellness.

Mister Dempsey, presenting the proposal, said he planned to bring a revised calendar to the board at the next meeting and that the two proposed no-student days would be Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents’ Day) and Monday, April 6 (the Monday after Easter). He said the district had previously adopted an extended learning-time calendar when a financial incentive existed, and now that the incentive no longer applies it is reasonable to consider returning two days to staff.

“I'm proposing to the board... a revised calendar that would give 2 days... no student day... Monday, February 16,” Dempsey said. He added the April date was chosen because attendance is typically poor that Monday and because the day is a widely observed local holiday.

The presentation noted the district currently exceeds the state minimum hourly requirement (cited as 1,140 hours) and described the proposal as a way to return time to staff without reducing the district’s instructional obligations. Dempsey said the two days would be used by staff for tasks and wellness and that the item would be placed on the agenda as a possible approval at the district’s next board meeting.

No board vote was taken during the work session. Trustees asked to review the calendar proposal and said they may have follow-up questions. District staff asked trustees to study the draft and submit questions prior to the upcoming meeting.