Harford County families have a chance to help shape the 2027-28 school year calendar before it is built.
What’s happening: Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dyann R. Mack is holding a public listening session Monday, Sept. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the A.A. Roberty Building. Residents who cannot attend in person can watch a livestream of the session. Written feedback can be sent anytime to AskHCPS@hcps.org.
What the calendar must include: State law and negotiated agreements — contracts between the school system and its employees — set firm requirements that the final calendar must meet:
- Students must attend at least 180 days of school
- Teachers must work at least 190 days
- Elementary students must receive at least 1,080 hours of instruction; middle and high school students must receive at least 1,170 hours
- The school year must end by June 19, Juneteenth
- The calendar must include either 3 inclement weather days plus virtual instruction days, or 6 inclement weather days
- 10 professional development days must be built in, including at least 3 before school starts
Holidays already required by law or contract include Labor Day, Election Days, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Juneteenth. When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is observed on the nearest Friday or Monday.
Testing windows are already set for 2027: Advanced Placement exams run May 3 to 7 and May 10 to 14. International Baccalaureate exams run April 23 to May 19.
What’s still up for discussion: The school board will consider the start date, whether to observe Veterans Day, and the length of breaks such as spring break and Thanksgiving.
What to do: Pre-registration details, rules for public comments, and more information about the session are available at hcps.org.
