The Fayette County Board of Education is set to discuss potential changes to the 2025-2026 school calendar following a series of winter weather disruptions. A proposal on the table would convert the Monday after spring break into a makeup day to compensate for lost instructional time.
The board will convene for a work session this Monday evening to review the calendar amendments. This meeting comes after the district utilized numerous snow days and non-traditional instruction days over the past few months, prompting a need to adjust the academic schedule.
Key Takeaways
- The Fayette County Board of Education is considering amending the 2025-2026 school calendar.
- One proposal involves making April 13, the Monday after spring break, a weather makeup day.
- The district has used nine snow days and four non-traditional instruction (NTI) days this school year.
- So far, only March 20 has been officially designated as a makeup day for students.
- A formal vote on the final amended calendar is expected at the end of the instructional year.
Board to Address Calendar Deficit
Officials at Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) are grappling with a significant number of school closures from this winter. The Board of Education has scheduled a work session to explore solutions for making up the lost classroom time.
The primary item for discussion is a proposal to amend the 2025-2026 academic calendar. According to the agenda, the board will consider designating Monday, April 13, as an official makeup day. This date immediately follows the district's scheduled spring break, a move that could impact travel plans for thousands of families and staff members.
While the board will discuss the options during the work session, a final decision is not expected immediately. Formal action to approve any changes to the calendar will be taken at a later date, likely towards the end of the school year.
A Winter of Widespread Disruptions
The need for calendar adjustments stems from an unusually severe winter that led to frequent school closures. The district has been forced to cancel in-person classes on nine separate occasions due to snow and icy conditions.
School Closures This Year
FCPS has used a total of 13 days for weather-related reasons, including 9 snow days and 4 non-traditional instruction (NTI) days. The district has only confirmed one makeup day so far, March 20.
The snow days for the current school year occurred on the following dates:
- December 2
- December 12
- December 15
- January 30
- February 2-6 (a full week)
- February 9
In addition to the full closure days, the district implemented four days of non-traditional instruction (NTI) from January 26 to January 29. While NTI days allow for remote learning, the high number of total disruptions has put pressure on the academic schedule.
Implications for Students and Families
The decision to alter the school calendar carries significant weight for the community. The proposal to use the Monday after spring break is a practical solution for reclaiming a lost day, but it also presents challenges.
Many families and district employees often schedule travel and vacations that extend through the weekend following spring break. An unexpected school day on April 13 would require them to adjust their plans, potentially leading to financial losses from non-refundable bookings.
What is a Weather Makeup Day?
School districts in Kentucky are required to provide a specific number of instructional days per year. When schools close for weather, these days must be made up. Districts build a certain number of makeup days into their calendars, often at the end of the year or attached to existing holidays. When those are exhausted, boards must find other days to meet state requirements.
The board's discussion is expected to weigh the educational need to recover instructional time against the potential disruption to family schedules. The outcome of Monday's work session will provide a clearer picture of how the district intends to move forward.
Next Steps in the Approval Process
The path to a revised calendar involves several steps. The work session allows board members to publicly discuss the pros and cons of the proposed changes without taking a formal vote.
Currently, March 20 is the only confirmed makeup day on the calendar for students. With at least eight additional snow days to account for, the board will need to identify several more dates to add to the schedule.
Following the discussion, the administration will likely present a formal, amended calendar for the board to vote on in a future meeting. The district has indicated that this final approval will happen before the end of the instructional year, giving families as much notice as possible about the final day of school and any other changes to the schedule.
