Board weighs pre-Labor Day start, two-year calendar and middle school impacts
March 13, 2026 | Molalla River SD 35, School Districts, Oregon
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District staff presented three school-calendar options and recommended adopting a two-year cycle that could include a one-time start before Labor Day for the 2026-27 year to provide extra time for staff to transition into the new middle school.
"My recommendation is that we start before Labor Day," the presenter said, explaining that an earlier start would give staff an additional week to prepare as the district takes down and rebuilds the middle school site. The presenter said employee groups had been consulted and that the plan aims to minimize disruption for families and staff.
Several trustees raised concerns about impacts on families, particularly those with students participating in the state fair. One trustee noted students previously skipped school for state fair events when the district started before Labor Day. Trustees asked administration to accommodate fair-related participants and to communicate any change to families early.
Trustee questions also focused on construction and athletic facility readiness. "Does a start a week earlier this year have any impact on construction or usage or anything of our athletic facilities?" one trustee asked. Staff said they would follow up with the project manager and athletic director and return with firm timelines.
Superintendent Mann described recent neighborhood outreach tied to the middle school replacement: "Director Watson and I knocked on doors here this weekend, at homes directly across from our current middle school... we've communicated that to community at an open meeting several months back." Neighbors asked whether power poles would be moved underground and whether right-of-way had been recorded when some properties were purchased; staff committed to get those answers and coordinate with the city.
The board did not take a final vote on the calendar at this meeting but set a special virtual meeting for next Thursday and indicated the calendar could be considered then after staff provides construction and athletic-facility timing details.
"My recommendation is that we start before Labor Day," the presenter said, explaining that an earlier start would give staff an additional week to prepare as the district takes down and rebuilds the middle school site. The presenter said employee groups had been consulted and that the plan aims to minimize disruption for families and staff.
Several trustees raised concerns about impacts on families, particularly those with students participating in the state fair. One trustee noted students previously skipped school for state fair events when the district started before Labor Day. Trustees asked administration to accommodate fair-related participants and to communicate any change to families early.
Trustee questions also focused on construction and athletic facility readiness. "Does a start a week earlier this year have any impact on construction or usage or anything of our athletic facilities?" one trustee asked. Staff said they would follow up with the project manager and athletic director and return with firm timelines.
Superintendent Mann described recent neighborhood outreach tied to the middle school replacement: "Director Watson and I knocked on doors here this weekend, at homes directly across from our current middle school... we've communicated that to community at an open meeting several months back." Neighbors asked whether power poles would be moved underground and whether right-of-way had been recorded when some properties were purchased; staff committed to get those answers and coordinate with the city.
The board did not take a final vote on the calendar at this meeting but set a special virtual meeting for next Thursday and indicated the calendar could be considered then after staff provides construction and athletic-facility timing details.
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