For those planning fall vacations or just looking ahead to the new academic year, the Magnolia ISD board of trustees approved the new 2019-2020 school year calendar at its Jan. 14 meeting. School begins Aug. 14 and ends May 22 with early release, and several holidays and professional development days take place throughout the year, according to district information. MISD was named a District of Innovation, a designation created by the Texas Legislature in 2015, ahead of the 2018-19 school year. This designation allows districts more flexibility in the start of the school year, which allows MISD to start classes prior to the fourth Monday in August, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported. Professional development days, which are not instructional days for students, include Oct. 14, Nov. 5, Jan. 6 and March 6. Thanksgiving break begins Nov. 25 and ends Nov. 29. Christmas break begins with early release Dec. 20 through Jan. 3. Spring break runs March 9-13, according to district information.