Lake school leaders oppose late school start

State: No more automatic waivers
 Clear Lake School leaders plan to voice their opposition to an announcement by the director of the Iowa Department of Education, informing school districts it will now be tougher to get a waiver to start classes earlier in the fall.

 State law says schools can start no earlier than the week that includes Sept. 1, but early start waivers have been routinely granted.
Monday night School Board members expressed their disappointment with Governor Terry Branstad’s directive for a September school start. The group said it will attempt to make a case that the late start will negatively impact its academic program. Specifically, Clear Lake school leaders feel it is important to complete the first semester of learning prior to the holiday break.
According to the Education Department, school districts interested in pursuing waivers will need to demonstrate evidence of significant negative educational impact as required by law.
Superintendent Anita Micich said the district has not yet begun to plan its calendar.
The board suggested two versions of potential calendars be planned, one with an early start and the other after Sept. 1.
Typically the Clear Lake School District has started the school year approximately 10 days prior to Sept. 1. If the 2015-16 school year started Sept. 2, students would need to attend classes through June 8. The potential for snow days could stretch the end date to June 12. Board members discussed the possibility of eliminating or shortening spring break as a means to recoup some days lost by the later start.
The State Board of Education voted 5-2 in August against rules that would have modified school start dates. A proposal to change school start dates also failed to make it out of the last legislative session.