NEW CUMBERLAND — Pending final approval from the state, the calendar for Hancock County Schools’ 2026-2027 school year is set.

Hancock County Schools officials have been working on the calendar in recent months, offering a poll to faculty, staff and county residents, noting the current requirements concerning days of instruction, holiday breaks, Faculty Senate meetings and more, along with holding two public hearings on the matter.

“This is our second and final hearing on the calendar,” explained Hancock County Schools Superintendent Walter Saunders during the calendar hearing held Monday prior to the regular meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education.

Kristin Bissett, director of federal programs, student services and assessment, explained the final results and how the calendar is set to look.

“I did get one comment,” Bissett said, noting it concerned the possibility of moving a proposed Professional Learning Day.

To begin the 2026-2027 school year, teachers will report on Aug. 17, with students beginning Aug. 24.

The last day of the first semester will be Jan. 21, with the final day of the year for students – planned as a half day — on June 4. Teachers’ final day is set for June 7, with the last day of the employment term on June 14.

There will be six planned Faculty Senate days — Aug. 20, Oct. 2, Dec. 18, Feb. 15, April 5 and June 4. Professional learning days will include full days on Aug. 21, Jan. 22 and March 26 and half days on Oct. 2, Dec. 18, Feb. 15, and April 5.

Thanksgiving break is set for Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, while Christmas break is scheduled for a half day on Dec. 18 and students returning Jan. 4. Spring break will include the Professional Learning days March 26 and April 5, and out-of-school days March 29 to April 2.

Other holidays built into the calendar are Labor Day on Sept. 7, Election Day on Nov. 3, Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18 and Memorial Day on May 31.

“It meets all of the calendar rules,” Bissett said, noting the current 180 instruction day requirement.

Graduation exercises for Weir High and Oak Glen High are planned for May 30, 2027.

The final calendar, once fully approved, will be available for public viewing online.

“We’ll get it on our website,” Bissett said.