Springfield School Panel OKs Revised 2026-27 Calendar

School Committee · Meeting of September 16, 2026

Springfield school subcommittee advances revised 2026-27 calendar to make up four missed days. The Curriculum and Program Subcommittee of the Springfield School Committee voted 3-0 Wednesday to recommend the amended calendar to the full committee, which is expected to vote around September 23 or 24. Superintendent Dr.

Sonia Dinal said the change reflects close coordination with union leadership, noting the revised calendar is "very, very, very closely aligned" with suggestions from Unit A, the district's largest union. The plan shifts December 22 to a half day that still counts as full attendance, trades a September 11 professional day for a January 6 day off, and keeps students in session through 180 days as required by state law. Chair Denise Hurst clarified that even a declared state of emergency "would not necessarily absolve" the district from that requirement.

The same meeting included a briefing from Dr. McCarthy, chief of the Exceptional Learners Department, on dyslexia support, noting the condition still is not a recognized disability category under state or federal law.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,073 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of September 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.