After reviewing survey data from more than 6,000 respondents and debating competing calendar models, the Peoria Unified Governing Board approved a revised calendar for 2026–27 with a modification by trustees to protect teacher grading time before winter break.

District staff presented multiple models that varied by start date (July/August), mid‑week starts versus Monday starts, fall breaks and Thanksgiving length. Survey highlights shared by staff showed strong favorability for the current midweek start and full Thanksgiving week while other respondents preferred a later start date with occasional breaks.

Clerk Jeff Toby introduced a ‘green’ calendar that balanced semesters and addressed student and staff concerns. In discussion trustees and public commenters raised operational concerns: counselors need time to post grades before winter break (for college admissions and scholarship deadlines), December graduates need finalized transcripts, and teachers need sufficient time to grade finals.

To address grading and counselor timelines, the board amended the proposed calendar by removing the Friday before Labor Day as a holiday and instead making the Thursday before winter break a teacher workday/half‑day for students so teachers can finalize grades and counselors can process midyear reports. The amended calendar passed 4–1, with Trustee Melissa Ewing voting no, citing concerns about the change and wanting more analysis of impacts on staff and family scheduling.

Next steps: staff will finalize the early‑release dates for modified Wednesdays, confirm the exact winter grading day scheduling and publish calendar specifics for families and staff. The district also plans community engagement and will bring refined proposals and the final calendar details to the January study session where the board will consider further budget and schedule impacts.