By Drew Christensen
Audubon is uneasy about the decisions the Department of Education. The new talk around the school is the controversy of what time school will start this upcoming year. The Audubon School board unanimously voted for the 2015 – 2016 school calendar on Monday night’s regular meeting. But that doesn’t mean it's set in stone. According to the Iowa Department of Education, schools must start the week of September 1st, unless the school fills out a waiver saying that if it starts sooner, the education for the kids will be enhanced.
The Department of Education has in years past accepted many start date waivers without hesitation. Due to the pressure from the Governor's office, the department has stepped up its game for the criteria needed to grant a waiver. After meeting with Audubon’s Superintendent Brett Gibbs, he said, “that the decision should be based on the local boards decision, they are elected to make those type of calls.”
Audubon has been a traditionally known school to start early. Reasons for starting early may include that it works better with spring sports and the start date is around the same time college classes begin. Audubon has always let allowances for the kids who want to participate at the State fair.
Other reasons why Audubon has started early is to have the first semester end before Christmas break. If the school will start late next year the first semester won’t end until early January. “I am against this idea because I plan on graduating at semester, and I don’t want to come back after break.” Kelsi Lange a student at Audubon High School said. If the start date were late, the second semester would have no breaks outside the usual Easter break. After talking to more of Audubon’s students the buzz around the school is that they would like a longer summer but would need a break in the second semester because of the long year. The decision is still up to the state and the decision isn’t final. If you have any questions or concerns contact your local representative Brain Best and have him help you with the state's decision.
The Department of Education has in years past accepted many start date waivers without hesitation. Due to the pressure from the Governor's office, the department has stepped up its game for the criteria needed to grant a waiver. After meeting with Audubon’s Superintendent Brett Gibbs, he said, “that the decision should be based on the local boards decision, they are elected to make those type of calls.”
Audubon has been a traditionally known school to start early. Reasons for starting early may include that it works better with spring sports and the start date is around the same time college classes begin. Audubon has always let allowances for the kids who want to participate at the State fair.
Other reasons why Audubon has started early is to have the first semester end before Christmas break. If the school will start late next year the first semester won’t end until early January. “I am against this idea because I plan on graduating at semester, and I don’t want to come back after break.” Kelsi Lange a student at Audubon High School said. If the start date were late, the second semester would have no breaks outside the usual Easter break. After talking to more of Audubon’s students the buzz around the school is that they would like a longer summer but would need a break in the second semester because of the long year. The decision is still up to the state and the decision isn’t final. If you have any questions or concerns contact your local representative Brain Best and have him help you with the state's decision.
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