DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today signed Senate File 227 into law. The bill states, “…the school calendar shall begin no sooner than August 23.”
The bill passed the Iowa House 71-29 on March 24, 2015. The bill passed the Iowa Senate 28-22 on March 25, 2015.
Photos from the bill signing can be downloaded at the links below. The photos can be attributed to the Governor’s Office. Students photographed are from Indianola, Iowa.
I must have missed something, what’s the big deal about this.
The politicians and unionized teachers were making a huge deal about it. I for one couldn’t care less when school starts.
I believe at one time the issue was that when school starts so early it effects tourism in the state, and tourism dollars. So, I’m wondering if that’s the reason for this now. In my own opinion, I would prefer to have the kids start later. Minnesota starts after Labor Day, and are out before June 1st. It seems there are too many days the kids are out of school for teachers professional development days, or inservices.
The teachers are paid the entire year. These professional development days could be done in the summer months.
Good points.
@Anonymous-Tourism was the reason this was brought up. Every year more and more schools were applying for a waiver that allowed them to start earlier and earlier. My personal opinion is they were starting way to early. This would definitely affect families taking vacations. The unions wanted it so the democrats favor starting early. They should have one day dictated by the state so everyone is on the same page.
I totally agree.