Revised School Calendar & Instructional Make-Up Plan

Board of Education
Jesus Fierro
Clancey McMillan
Kevin Miller
Tiffany Shirley
Emily Wirth

CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS
408 North Canyon
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220
Phone (575) 234-3300
Fax (575) 234-3367

Dr. Gerry Washburn
Superintendent

February 9, 2026

Dear School Community,

Due to the recent three-day school closure caused by severe weather, our district must make up lost instructional time to remain in compliance with state requirements.
Every missed instructional day impacts our students' learning and our district’s financial health. Specifically, each day lost results in a reduction of $561,000 in State Equalization Guarantee (SEG) funding. To prevent a total loss of $1.68 million in operational funding and ensure our students receive the time they need in the classroom, we have developed the following make-up plan. Our revised calendar has been submitted and approved by the Public Education Department.

Revised Instructional Schedule

The following days will now be instructional days for all students:

• Friday, February 13: (Previously Parent–Teacher Conference Day) Virtual Learning Day
• Monday, February 16: (Presidents Day) Virtual Learning Day
• Friday, May 22: (Previously Graduation Day) In-person Early Dismissal Schedule

Parent–Teacher Conferences

We remain committed to meaningful parent-teacher communication. To accommodate the new schedule, conference make-up times will begin the week of February 9, 2026. Your individual school will communicate specific schedules and times shortly.

Staff Contractual Requirements

To meet end-of-year contractual obligations, staff will make up one additional day by working either Tuesday, May 26, or Wednesday, May 27. This ensures that the total number of contract days remains accurate and compliant.

Why This Plan?

After reviewing several options, this plan was chosen because it allows us to:

• Keep Spring Break fully intact.
• Maintain a completion date before June.
• Preserve vital state funding for our schools.
• Enables us to create a school calendar where our hourly employees can be paid.

We recognize that calendar adjustments require flexibility. The virtual component of this schedule while not optimal, does allow us to have Parent Teacher Conferences and provide a work schedule for our hourly employees so that they do not miss 3 days of pay. We sincerely appreciate the professionalism of our staff and the understanding of our families as we work together to support our students.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our district.

Sincerely,

Gerry C. Washburn
Superintendent