Some Lawmakers and Governor Branstad want school districts to adhere to the state law saying schools cannot start earlier than the first week of September to promote tourism in Iowa. In the past, many school districts that wanted an earlier start received a waiver from the state that allowed them to go around the law. But tourism groups, lawmakers, and Governor Branstad are pushing to require that schools hold off their start dates in an effort to continue the tourism season longer by debating a law charging 100 dollars for the waiver, ans still not letting schools start before the 4th Monday in August. Mid-Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider says the decision should be made locally, not by the state government. He says the school board knows that we are a community with many children involved in 4-H, and they hold off their start date until after the state fair. But says if a district feels they should start earlier, they should be allowed to. He tells us the real issue isn’t allowing Iowa families to continue going on vacation longer, this issue is places like Adventureland Park not having a cheap labor force if high-school students start earlier. He thinks the educational interest should be put before commercial interest. Governor Branstad says if Lawmakers don’t force schools to start later, he will stop issuing the waivers that allow them to.
