Governor Branstad attempts to enforce September 1 school start date

If you have a child in school, you might want to double check your June and August plans. On Friday Governor Terry Branstad cited the importance of family summer plans and employer needs for students to be working in August as reasons to very strictly enforce the 1983 state law that called for school start dates to be no sooner than September 1. State Fair during the middle of August is also in the reasoning mix.  

The September 1 start date is annually appealed by most school districts, and has been given almost automatic approval. But as of Friday, after Brad Buck, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, received a letter from Governor Branstad, school districts were notified that the requests would only be considered if they could demonstrate a significant negative educational impact by a September 1 start date.

Widespread opposition to the strict interpretation of the law is expected, including issues of fall sports and late dismissals in June.   And not to be overlooked is the broader issue of local control in the establishment of school calendars.

North Winneshiek typically syncs with the Decorah Community School District calendar.  Minnesota schools do not start classes until September 1, but they also have fewer required school days/hours, so they would not necessarily dismiss as late as Iowa schools impacted by the new enforcement.

decorahnews.com will follow up as school officials consider their response to the Branstad action.