A start date of Monday, Aug. 24, has been recommended for the Howard County Public School System’s students and staff for the 2026-2027 school year.

Director of Communications and Engagement Brian Bassett told the Board of Education Thursday the start date was recommended primarily because it aligns the most with previous calendars. In 2026, Labor Day falls on Sept. 7, meaning students would have two weeks of instruction before that holiday.

A public hearing will be held Nov. 21 to discuss the school year start date and the school board will make a final decision on Dec. 12, Bassett said.

The start date was recommended by the annual school year Calendar Committee, which Bassett chairs, and is supported by the superintendent’s cabinet. The committee ruled against a later start date, as well as a mid-week start date, raising concerns about schedule disruptions.

“In fact, the committee uplifted several challenges and inconveniences a later start date would create, including potentially a later end date than is typical, and a compressed summer of 2027 possibly impacting staffing and scheduling for summer programs,” Bassett said.

With the Aug. 24 start date, school staff would return on Aug. 13 and new teacher orientation would run from Aug. 10-12.

The full calendar will be developed by the committee in the spring, so dates are not yet finalized, Bassett said.

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