Board approves 2026–27 calendar change: two instructional days added to start of spring break

The Charles County Board of Education voted unanimously April 27 to adopt option two for the 2026–27 school calendar, adding two instructional days at the start of spring break (March 22–23, 2027) so the district will meet a Maryland State Board of Education requirement for six inclement‑weather make‑up days if it does not implement an approved virtual instruction plan.

Miss Mackey presented four options to satisfy the State Board resolution: (1) add two days during winter break (Dec. 21–22); (2) add two days at the start of spring break (March 22–23); (3) request waivers to use staff holidays such as Presidents Day or Easter Monday (staff‑holiday options would require a state waiver and were estimated to cost roughly $300,000 because schools would need to open on staff holidays); or (4) reassign an existing student closure day in April plus another day elsewhere (this would still require finding a sixth date). Miss Mackey said the district must submit its 2026–27 calendar to the Maryland State Department of Education by May 11, 2026.

Board members discussed equity and operational impacts of a districtwide virtual instruction policy (which, if adopted and approved by the state, would reduce required makeup days to three), the effects of delayed‑start days on meal service and transportation, and constraints in payroll and scheduling systems (Oracle) that limit midweek start dates. Miss Morley moved to approve option two; Miss Patterson seconded. The chair declared the vote unanimous.

The district will publish the adopted calendar and the designated makeup dates; if inclement weather occurs next year, the designated makeup days will be used in order, beginning in June as outlined by the Maryland State Board resolution.