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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa school districts could decide when to start the academic year under a bill that won approval in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday.
The Democratic-majority Senate voted 32-17 in favor of the legislation. School start dates became a key issue for the Legislature after state education officials said they would stop issuing automatic waivers that allowed districts to start early.
Supporters from both parties say letting districts make this choice is best for students. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said that local districts are "the ones best suited" to make that decision.
But Gov. Terry Branstad has opposed early start dates, saying the practice discourages tourism and participation in the Iowa State Fair. Some opponents in the Senate on Tuesday questioned how the bill would improve education.
The measure will now move to the House, where lawmakers in the House Education committee have approved a bill that would require classes to start on or after Aug. 23, with a stipulation that school districts cannot seek a waiver to begin sooner. Senators said they hoped to find a compromise.
Under current law, districts must start their school calendar in the week that includes Sept. 1. But for years, districts have been given automatic waivers that allowed them to start earlier.
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