Big change to school start dates effective immediately
The Iowa Department of Education says it will stop granting automatic waivers to school districts seeking to start classes earlier in the summer.
Director Brad Buck sent a letter Friday to state education leaders saying the change is effective immediately.
The announcement came shortly after Gov. Terry Branstad sent a letter to Buck asking that officials only grant a waiver if a school district demonstrates a "significant negative educational impact" of beginning classes on time, as required by law.
Districts must start school no earlier than the calendar week that includes Sept. 1.
But nearly all of them obtain waivers allowing them to begin classes earlier.
Branstad's letter says starting earlier "unnecessarily interferes" with families' summer plans, seasonal hiring and the Iowa State Fair.
"This Wednesday, we're presenting to the board our calendar and we're trying to figure out what do we tell our parents and community, said Dr. Corey Lunn, superintendent at the Johnston Community School District.
Lunn said this makes it hard for the school district and parents to plan for big events like summer vacation and graduation.
"We would be finishing school in the middle of June verses the end of May," said Lunn.
Director of the Iowa Department of Education Dr. Brad Buck said that isn't necessarily the case because schools have the option to have an 180 day school calendar, or 1,080 hours.
"As an example, extend the length of the school day, compress that time and get 540 hours, half of the 1,080 in before the holiday break," said Buck.
Carrie Pundzak has children in the Des Moines School District, and supports starting later.
"I wish they started after -- went from Labor Day to Memorial Day -- give them a nice long summer break," said Pundzak.
Lunn said he has only heard from a few parents in the entire Johnston School District who didn't like this year's Aug. 14 start date.
"My point is why design a calendar around 100 kids for 7,000 students? Why not do it the other way around?" said Lunn.
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