Could the school year start earlier? Don’t want students to return on a Monday? Must February break be week-long? Think the academic year should end before Memorial Day?
The Park City School District is considering changes to the 2026-27 school calendar and is seeking feedback from students, parents, staff and community members before making a decision.
Officials said they would collect opinions through a brief, eight-question survey that covers topics such as semester start and end dates, February recess, spring break and early-release days. The district’s Calendar Committee will then review the responses as it prepares to make a recommendation to the school board.
Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman said in late September that the committee is an advisory body and does not have the final say. The group is considering several possible changes to the district calendar, including making the first day back to school in the middle of the week rather than at the start, moving early-release Fridays to improve professional learning development days for teachers and aligning school breaks with those of neighboring districts.
“We value the perspectives of our families and community,” said Huntsman. “Your feedback helps us design a calendar that supports student learning and family needs.”
First, the survey asks respondents to identify their affiliation with the school district and identify which schools the individual or their children attend or are employed. Next, there is a comparison of three calendars with an explanation of how the options differ.
Additional questions ask if the respondent thinks the semester should end for secondary students before winter break in December; if the person is in support of modifying February break (students would not have school the Friday before Presidents’ Day and the Tuesday after, leading to a five-day break for families); if spring break should be aligned with other schools in the Wasatch Back; and whether early release on Friday afternoons should be continued.
Lastly, there’s a feedback box for respondents to input any other considerations or comments about the school calendar. District officials plan to use the feedback to inform the calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 academic years, too.
The results will likely be presented to the school board before the end of the school year, but a date has not been set. Board members will have final approval of any changes.
“I would encourage you to take that survey and be selfish — what works for your family, because if you don’t share that, we don’t know,” Huntsman said during a community conversation series on Sept. 17.
The survey is open through Monday. To participate, visit parkcitydistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5q1nK6GfnBsSdQa.