The Portage Township School Board revised the 2026-27 school calendar just a week after approving it.

The change sets the parent-teacher conference date to Nov. 2 instead of in October.

Superintendent Amanda Alaniz told the board Monday that teachers requested the November date. It precedes an e-learning day Nov. 3, when the general election is held.

In addition, the graduation date is Thursday, June 3, with a rain date of June 4. Last week’s version had graduation on June 4.

The new calendar has students start Wednesday, Aug. 12, after the teachers have two days to prepare and go through staff orientation.

The first semester ends Dec. 18, just before the holiday break of Dec. 21 to Jan. 5. Teachers report Jan. 4 to work on record-keeping.

Spring break is March 22-26. The last day of school is Thursday, May 27.

In other business, Alaniz told the board medical insurance premiums are up 8% next year, following a 2% increase this year. The benefits committee spoke about other school districts and their experiences. The 8% increase is manageable, Alaniz said.

The district received a $37,500 grant through the Indiana Department of Education for STEM lessons using robots. Every general education elementary teacher will be directly involved, Alaniz said.

Fifth-grade teachers will get training, too, Portage Association of Teachers representative Dessa Kelley added, because the grant application was made before the decision to turn Fegely Middle School into an intermediate school next year, housing grades 5 and 6.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/portage-shifts-dates-on-2026-27-school-calendar/