The 2026-2027 School Year in the Newton School District will begin on Tuesday, August 25th. During Monday night’s school board meeting, a proposed Calendar was approved by a 6 to 1 board vote. Board member Ray Whipple said he felt the calendar’s week-long spring break, the week of March 15th, 2027 was too long. He cast the dissenting vote. Winter break runs from Monday, December 21st through Friday, January 1st, 2027, and the end of the school year is listed as Thursday, May 27, 2027. 

Newton School Superintendent Tom Messinger says there were more opportunities for public comment on this proposed calendar than any he can remember, and he encouraged the school board to approve it. He also noted there is a change in the structure of parent-teacher conferences to offer more parent engagement. Newton School Board member Kristi Meyer mentioned she feels there are some issues on the calendar that continue not to be addressed, and expressed some concern about activity conflicts in the district associated with late starts. 

A school board work session on this year’s legislative session with State Representative Jon Dunwell, State Senator Ken Rozenboom, and Rural School Advocates of Iowa representative Dave Daughton was held one hour before last night’s regular 6:30 p.m. Newton School Board meeting began at the EJH Beard Administration Center on First Avenue West.