Voices were heard from the community, and now the results are in.
The Bullitt County Calendar Committee has been discussing updates and options for the 2026-2027 school start/end times and calendar structure. A survey for students, staff, and families was sent out on Nov. 18, and it closed on Nov. 25. Now, after lots of opinions expressed throughout the community, the in depth results are in.
The feedback was compiled into infographics via social media. Out of the 5,206 responses, 3,320 are parents/guardians, 965 are students, 432 are community members, 662 are certified staff members, and 376 are classified. 75.1% of the respondents are not in favor of switching start times where High School starts later and Elementary starts earlier. However, 20.3% are in support of the change, while 4.6% have no preference.
Current Calendar Feedback
When asked about satisfaction with the current BCPS calendar on a scale of 1 (Very Dissatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied), the average score was 3.98, with 172 respondents being Very Dissatisfied and 1,969 being Very Satisfied.
Respondents like how breaks are highly valued. They expressed overwhelming gratitude about the number, spacing, and length of breaks, especially the full week for Fall and Spring Break, and the two weeks for Christmas Break.
It was also shared how beneficial the Bullitt Days are, particularly when they are strategically placed after long breaks do extend time off or for teacher planning/preparation.
A significant number of respondents favor the current calendar because it’s traditional, familiar, consistent each year, and easy for families to plan around.
What Respondents Wished Was Different
A significant number of responses requested starting the school year later in August, with some even suggesting after the Kentucky State Fair or Labor Day, in order to extend the duration of summer break.
A full week off for Thanksgiving, instead of half, was another popular request, along with wanting longer Christmas, Fall, and Spring breaks. Conversely, some were suggesting shorter Fall breaks instead of the full week.
Many responses indicated good satisfaction with the current calendar or explicitly stated “Nothing” or “Leave it alone.”
Additional Comments and Suggestions
A significant number of responses object to closing schools for an entire week for early voting, calling it “unnecessary”. There are strong opinions that the County Clerk should utilize alternative locations for voting.
Some comments express interest in a “variable calendar” or “year-round school” with shorter summer breaks and longer breaks throughout the year. Many individuals expressed a need for more detailed information or a mock calendar to grasp the full impact.
Positives vs Negatives of a Variable Calendar
For the benefits, a significant number of responses cited a later school start date in August and a longer summer break as a big gain, allowing more family time and flexibility with vacations, avoiding the hottest time of the year, along with aligning with the State Fair.
Many also noted the benefit of the variable calendar not requiring a set number of school days, but rather focusing on instructional hours, which provides more flexibility for making up time lost due to weather/snow days and potentially leading to fewer school days overall.
Some saw benefits in a shorter or eliminated Fall Break, while others mentioned the possibility of more frequent or longer breaks, or better alignment with college schedules
Negatives of a Variable Calendar
The most frequent drawback cited is the shortening or complete loss of the full week for Fall Break, which many families use for vacations and family.
Starting school later in August is a major concern, as it could mean the school year will end later, potentially extending into June.
There is fear that a variable calendar could lead to increased childcare issues and costs, especially during a longer summer break or with shorter, more frequent breaks.
The Next Steps
The Calendar Committee is currently working on calendar options informed by the survey results. These options were shared amongst them for their input and feedback during their most recent meeting on Dec. 2. Following this, another survey featuring various calendar choices was sent out to the community for additional feedback on Dec. 3rd. Finally, a recommendation for the 2026-2027 calendar will be presented to the Board for approval at the Regular Meeting on December 15th.
