Starting date is local decision

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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It's the first day of summer, but we've heard a lot of talk this week over when it should end for the state's schoolkids.

Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters that the Iowa Department of Education is preparing rule changes that could push school districts to pick a later date for starting a new school year. The letter of Iowa law prohibits districts from starting before Sept. 1, but the department routinely grants annual waivers to all but a few districts allowing them to start earlier.

With those waivers in hand, many districts ring the opening bell in mid August. And that doesn't sit well with the state's tourism industry and Iowa State Fair officials, who argue early school bells chase away both visitors and young employees.

“I believe the present policy has been too lax and has not been fair to the tourism industry in Iowa,” Branstad said. Outgoing department chief Jason Glass suggested that allowing schools to start after Aug. 20 might be a good compromise.

We understand the importance of tourism and the iconic State Fair. So do a lot of other people, apparently, considering that the fair has had its top three all-time attendance years during the last five years.

But we're surprised that a governor who has so doggedly pursued educational improvements would pick tourism over the educational judgment of local school officials. A governor who was willing to make the signature piece of his landmark education reform package - a career ladder for teachers - voluntary for districts, now wants to micromanage school calendars. It doesn't make sense.

A case can be made that there is no real debate left to settle. For several consecutive legislative sessions, lawmakers have repeatedly rejected efforts to mandate a later start date. Our elected representatives have spoken again and again on this issue, which makes us wonder why the Department of Education would now use a rule-making process to defy the Legislature's judgment.

This is a question of local control, plain and simple. No rule change or compromise is needed or warranted. It's an issue that should be tackled by local officials, school boards and parents, not by state bureaucrats and tourism interests.

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