Russellville City Schools BOE approves 2026-27 school calendar, honors students and teacher at Feb. 17th board meeting

The Russellville City Schools Board of Education approved the school calendar for 2026-27 that includes 176 student days and 187 teacher days.

The board approved the calendar at its February 17th meeting.

The new school year will begin for students on Thursday, August 6th. Teachers will report on Monday, August 3rd.

Fall break will be three days for students, Monday, October 12th through Wednesday, October 14th, with teachers returning Wednesday. 

The Thanksgiving break will be a full week, November 23rd-27th, and Christmas break will run from Friday, December 18th with early dismissal through Wednesday, January 6th for students. Teachers will have work days starting Monday, January 4th.

Spring Holiday/Spring Break will run from Friday, March 26th through Friday, April 2nd.

The final day of classes will be Tuesday, May 25th with an early dismissal for students. Teachers will work through Friday, May 28th before concluding their year.

A copy of the 2026-27 school calendar is available online at www.rcs.k12.al.us.

In other agenda items at its February 17th meeting, the board:

—recognized the outstanding performances of four students at the recent AHSAA Class 4A/5A State Indoor Track Meet. They included Darron Jones, who earned a silver medal in the 60m hurdles and set a school record in the event, and the boys 4x200 relay team of Connor Delaney, Julyun Francisco, Jamarcus Mitchell and Jones, as the team earned the bronze medal.

“The indoor track team as a whole had a great year with many milestones being set. They put the work in and accomplished their goals. And now the same kids come back for the outdoor track season and we’re excited about that. I couldn’t ask for a better group,” said RHS Track Coach Deion Belue.

—recognized English Second Language teacher Carley Andrews Tellish, who was named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year at the recent AMTESOL Conference. The award recognizes one Alabama teacher and one Mississippi teacher for teaching excellence and mentoring of others to support English Learners in rural areas.

—approved facility use requests from RHS volleyball for the Russellville Middle School gym on March 21st for the Level Elite Volleyball tournament, the RMS gym on May 17th for the RHS Girls Basketball program to host the Studio Extreme Twirling Performance fundraiser, RHS Driver’s Education Parking Lot on February 7th for the United Way of Florence to hold a food drive and RHS gym from February 4th through March 26th for agility and basketball training with Rayfield Ragland.

—approved trip requests for RHS HOSA students to attend the State Leadership Conference in Montgomery February 26th-27th, RHS students to attend the Alabama All-State Choral Festival at Samford University March 12th-14th, and RHS 11th and 12th grade Talent Search students to tour Mississippi State University on March 5th.

—approved the purchase of a Groen Tilt/Braising Skillet for Russellville Middle School from Mobile Fixtures for $35,544. Child Nutrition Program funds will be used to purchase and install the equipment.

—approved the purchase of a Rational Combi Oven for Russellville Elementary School from Singer HR for $39,990. CNP funds will be used for the purchase and installation of the equipment. 

—Personnel moves including the following: Retirements/Resignations/Terminations/Leave of Absence: Resignation of Dylan Seabolt, RMS teacher, effective 1/15/26, Natalie Bendall, RCS Curriculum Coordinator, effective 2/27/26, Lena Soto, CNP Worker, effective 2/17/26 and Denese Gault, Park & Rec Concession Manager, effective 2/27/26.

Employment: William Kilpatrick RMS PE teacher, Nelda Martinez and Jesus Betancourt, substitute bus drivers, contingent upon completion of CDL certification.

Temporary Employment in Position: John Seal, RHS Golf volunteer, Chris Balentine, RHS teacher as a part-time retired teacher, Johnna Robinson and Kaylee Smith, West Elementary temporary teachers to fill leaves of absence. Transfer/Reassignments: Caley Farris, from RCS Tech. Services Assistant to Technology Specialist, Amanda Taylor, CNP worker from RES to RHS and Amanda Butler, CNP worker, from RHS to RES.