Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell is seeking input from students, families, employees and community members as he considers whether to recommend a change in this year’s school calendar to the Board of Education.
The change would get rid of six early-dismissal days in exchange for more grading time for teachers and professional learning for other employees.
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This possible change comes after legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025 and signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore provided AACPS with flexibility in creating the school calendar.
Starting this school year, the school district must have a calendar that:
Meets the minimum number of seat hours at each level (1,080 at elementary and middle school and 1,170 at high school)
Is not bound by the minimum number of school days (180)
Prior to this legislation, AACPS was required to meet both thresholds.
The school district said Dr. Bedell is considering recommending a shift that would eliminate two early-dismissal days at the end of the second, third and fourth marking periods, and instead shift to a full day for students followed by a full work day for employees on the last day of those marking periods.
Students would not go to school on the last day of the second, third or fourth marking periods.
If the above scenario is approved, the following days would become full school days:
January 15, 2026
March 26, 2026
June 16, 2026
Students would then not attend school on the following days:
January 16, 2026 (Friday)
March 27, 2026 (Friday)
June 17, 2026
The potential changes could positively impact attendance, which is usually lower on partial school days, allow teachers more time for grading and provide dedicated professional development time for employees, according to AACPS.
The school district said no employees would have their work hours cut due to this potential calendar change.
Students, families, staff and community members can complete a from now through October 1.
Dr. Bedell also requests Unit III and Unit IV personnel to fill out this about potential professional learning opportunities they would like to see if these changes are approved.
The superintendent said he’ll review the results and then decide whether to bring a recommendation to the Board.
The recommendation would come at the October 15 Board meeting, so the Board could consider adoption of it at its November 5 meeting.