Springfield staff concerned over '26-27 school calendar

The Springfield Public School District put out an updated calendar for next school year and people have different opinions on it. 22 News reporter Arezza Odaya joins us live in studio with those details. Mixed responses from parents, students and staff as the district makes changes for the 2026-27 academic school calendar. We heard you. We heard the good. We heard the bad. We heard the happy. We heard the mad. Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, Dr. Sonia Dinal, in a committee meeting earlier this month referring to the mixed feedback on the upcoming 2026-27 academic school calendar. It includes an August 24th start date for grades 1 through 12 and a two and a half week winter break. It was a laborious process and they sought input from family members, students, faculty, staff. The Springfield Education Association put out a survey where over 1,200 staff members responded. Nearly 50% are very dissatisfied with the new calendar, nearly 40% are just dissatisfied, 8% are neutral and about 10% are satisfied or very satisfied. With such a long break, it's hard to bring students back into the classroom and get them back into the rhythm of learning and also shortens the summer break for educators. Hernandez also mentions potential barriers for multi-language learners, more child care costs for working parents with kids in preschool and employee fatigue. School officials say some are happy with the update and that the calendar will stay as is. They also say on those extra days over the winter break, meals and activities with transportation would be provided for families. And the district plans to survey more individuals in the future, looking into more attendance data as well as previous calendars. Working for you, Arata Odaya, 22 News.