An earlier first day of school — Aug. 18 — for the upcoming 2026-27 school year will help accommodate pending construction beginning at several schools in the North Allegheny School District.
Hosack, Ingomar and Peebles elementary schools, as well as Phase 1 of the high school and the natatorium, are being renovated with construction scheduled for spring 2027, according to a capital projects presentation by Brandon Chabula., the district’s director of facilities.
The school calendar typically is presented in the fall for the following year to the school board for approval by the superintendent.
“The 2026-27 school year calendar was designed to allow the year to conclude as early as possible, ensuring we provide every opportunity for successful renovations and construction planned for the summer of 2027,” Superintendent Brendan Hyland said.
Students will finish by Memorial Day in 2027, creating the potential for an extended construction window. The board will determine the start date for the 2027-28 school year next fall, which ultimately will define the length of that window, he said.
Multiple factors weigh in on the development of a school calendar.
“Creating a school calendar is a thoughtful process that balances legal and contractual requirements, operational needs, but most importantly how will it impact our overall success toward meeting the goals identified in our Strategic and Comprehensive Plan,” Hyland said.
Each year, the superintendent leads the development and planning of the school calendar with help from fellow team members.
After reviewing all relevant factors and gathering input from administrators, unions and other stakeholders, the superintendent ultimately makes a formal recommendation to the board. The board then determines whether to accept, amend or reject that recommendation.
“One of the first things I learned with calendar development is that it’s impossible to make everyone perfectly happy. We also strive to communicate as early as possible so that families have the opportunity to plan appropriately. Most folks are pretty understanding as long as they have adequate advance notice,” Hyland said.
The current school year began Aug. 21 and will end June 5.
