Iowa Schools Could Start Back Day After State Fair With New Bill

Kiddos better enjoy the last day of summer.

Iowa's legislative session continued this week, which means voting to advance or kill certain bills. One of them would change when kids in Iowa would start the new school year.

It's SF 205, introduced this week and approved by the Education Committee.

As we know, since 2015, it's been state law that schools can't start back until after the state fair has ended, no earlier than August 23rd.

The new bill would let Iowa schools start back as early as the second-to-last Monday of August and no later than the first Monday in December. If schools start then, in certain years, that would put kids going to school the day after the state fair ends.

The Iowa State Education Association supports it, as it allows districts to choose a date that's best for them. Association President Joshua Brown told WHO13:

As proponents of local control, the Iowa State Education Association believes Iowa school districts should have the flexibility to align with their local community’s needs. Our local school districts can thoughtfully evaluate these factors and choose a start date that best supports their students’ success and the community’s overall needs

It passed unanimously in committee, but it has mixed reactions. Other state education groups, like the Professional Educators of Iowa, support the bill. Adventureland, Okoboji Tourism, and the Iowa Travel Industry Partners are against the bill. The Iowa State Fair is undecided.

Now, the bill is headed to the Senate floor.