Dear El Paso ISD Community,

We are reaching out to invite your participation in the voting process for the proposed revisions to the 2026–2027 Academic Year Calendar and the selection of the proposed new 2027–2028 Academic Year Calendar. Your input is a vital part of ensuring that our academic calendars align with the needs and preferences of our students, staff, families, and community.

2026–2027 Summary of Proposed Revisions
The proposed updates to the 2026–2027 academic calendar are intended to improve district efficiency while maximizing instructional time for students.

One major consideration is the recent update in state legislation to the number of student instructional days. The proposed 2026-2027 calendar incorporates 175 student instructional days rather than 180. The proposed 175 student instructional days continue to meet the Additional Days School (ADSY) minimum calendar requirement for funding purposes.

The second proposed revision adjusts students half days and teacher professional learning days to maximize instructional time for students while ensuring meaningful professional learning for teachers. A review of attendance data revealed that student absenteeism was highest on half-day or early-release days. As a result, several half and early-release days were removed, and additional professional development (PD) days were strategically placed.

Lastly, the proposed adjustments include two full weeks of Fall Intersession/Fall Break, with October 5 designated as the first day of Fall Intersession Week. Intersession days are designed to provide targeted instruction and academic acceleration for students who need additional support.

2027–2028 Summary of Proposed Options
Your vote is essential in determining the new 2027–2028 Academic Calendar. Both proposed options share several similarities, including 175 student instructional days, a continued focus on minimizing student half-days, and full professional learning days for teachers.

Both options include Fall and Spring Intersessions (October 4–8 and March 6–10), which offer focused intervention opportunities and smaller class sizes to support individualized learning.
A key difference between the two options is:

• Option A includes a Fall Break (October 11–15), during which the district would be closed.
• Option B does not include a Fall Break, but ends the School Year one week earlier (before Memorial Day) and includes 2 days in April for the Spring Holiday.

Your thoughtful review and participation are important in shaping the best possible academic experience for our students. We encourage you to review the materials on the calendar webpage to fully understand the proposed changes and options. Voting will be open from February 16 through March 2, 2026. Feedback and voting results will be shared at the EPISD Board meeting for final approval in March 2026. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.