LIBERTY HILL, Texas – After extensive feedback from parents, teachers, and staff, the Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees officially approved the 2025-26 academic calendar during its regular meeting on February 18, 2025. The newly adopted calendar introduces strategic changes aimed at supporting teachers while maintaining our mission of building future-ready graduates.

Balancing Needs and Feedback

Throughout the decision-making process, LHISD sought input through surveys, feedback forms, emails, and a town hall meeting. Community members voiced concerns about the length of the school day, instructional time, and the overall structure of the calendar. Based on this feedback, the final calendar maintains the integrity of instructional minutes while ensuring educators have dedicated planning time.

Why an Innovative Hybrid Calendar?

The Board carefully considered multiple factors in designing the 2025-26 calendar. With an anticipated $4.5 million budget reduction, the district must cut more than 50 positions. Teachers will see increased workloads, larger class sizes, and reduced classroom support. To address these challenges, specific Fridays have been designated as teacher workdays, giving educators valuable time for planning and collaboration.

By implementing this hybrid approach, LHISD aims to:

• Provide teachers with essential time to plan lessons and complete required tasks.

• Reduce teacher fatigue and support retention of high-quality educators.

• Improve recruitment efforts.

State Requirements and Calendar Details

The state mandates that school districts provide a minimum 75,600 instructional minutes per year, with a minimum school day length of seven hours. While LHISD received waivers for professional development days, the approved calendar includes 160 instructional days (with an added 10 minutes each day) and 20 professional development days during the school year. This will allow the district to bank one bad-weather day. 

Under the newly approved calendar:

• The first day of school will be August 12, 2025.

• December 19, 2025, will be an early release day before winter break.

• The last day of school is set for May 28, 2026, with graduation on May 29, 2026.

• Based on feedback, high school will start earlier than middle school to reduce class time missed for extracurricular activities. Final start/end times will be determined by the end of the 2024-25 school year.

LHISD remains committed to balancing the needs of students, teachers, and families while adapting to budgetary constraints. The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees and the district thank the staff and the community for their engagement and input in shaping the 2025-26 academic calendar.