Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX – December 17, 2025 – The Navarro ISD Board of Trustees, at their December meeting, voted to approve Option A for the 2026-2027 academic calendar. The approved calendar is the result of a comprehensive, collaborative process involving stakeholders across the district and community.

The development of the 2026-2027 academic calendar began with the District Educational Improvement Committee (DEIC). The DEIC, which includes district staff, administrators, parents, and community representatives, drafted two options. Both options were designed to satisfy the state's requirement of 75,600 minutes of student instruction and meet mandated work-day totals for teachers and paraprofessionals.

"Creating our school calendar is a strategic process that balances state instructional requirements with the need for adequate preparation time for our educators," said Natasha Williams, Instructional Programs Coordinator. "While major holidays and testing windows limit our flexibility, we focus on optimizing start and end dates to create balanced schedules that allow staff sufficient time for professional development and preparation before the school year begins. A thoughtfully structured calendar significantly impacts student learning; by intentionally scheduling breaks and professional development days, we foster an environment conducive to education. Our commitment to aligning the calendar with our instructional goals enhances our overall effectiveness and supports student success, enabling them to thrive academically throughout the year."

During the board’s discussion, the topic of the four-day instructional week was addressed. "We continue to hear discussion from the community about considering a four-day instructional week," said Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley. She noted that a review of available research and data gives evidence that the four-day week environment can be counterproductive to educational and social-emotional growth. “We do acknowledge that creating a calendar that includes four-day weekends around holidays and staff days, helps strike a healthy balance of breaks for staff while still complying with state minute requirements and serving the needs of all students."

The drafts were presented to the District Instructional Leadership Team, campus administrators, and Academic Services teams, and refined through stakeholder review and community input. The approved Option A calendar features the following key dates:

• Start Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2026
• Last Day of School: Thursday, May 27, 2027
• Spring Break: Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12, 2027 (Coordinated with Alamo Colleges for support of Dual Enrollment students)

The approved 2026-2027 Academic Calendar is posted on the Navarro ISD website under Parent Resources.