Wheeling District 21 moves final day of school after e-learning Election Day change

Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 is amending its 2026-27 academic calendar to designate Tuesday, April 6, 2027, as a districtwide e-learning day in conjunction with the consolidated election.

This change would allow the district to move the final possible day of student attendance from Tuesday, June 1, to Friday, May 28, 2027, barring the use of emergency days.

The calendar change follows the passage of Illinois House Bill 4535 – signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker – that amends the school code to allow school districts to use districtwide e-learning days on election days when a school serves as a polling place. These remote instruction days do not count against the calendar’s required minimum number of emergency days.

“Having our first possible final day of school fall on the Tuesday after Memorial Day presented some unique challenges,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Connolly. “Moving to an e-learning day on April 6 gives us the flexibility to move that date up to May 28, which creates a much more practical end to the school year for our students, families and staff.”

Students will now participate in learning remotely on April 6, 2027, following the district’s established e-learning procedures. Additional information about expectations for students and families will be shared as the date approaches.

The amended 2026-27 academic calendar will reflect the change to April 6 and the new final possible day of school on May 28. The final day remains subject to the use of emergency days during the school year.