Special meeting to discuss school start date in Wisconsin

La Crosse school board discuss asking state to eliminate Sept. 1 mandate.

In a special meeting on Tuesday, the La Crosse school board will ask the state to eliminate the mandate that districts not begin a school year before Sept. 1.

That deadline has been criticized by districts that want more local control, though the legislature says it would hurt tourism, like families not taking last-minute vacations. 

The resolution also says it would allow the district to better align school with co-ciricular activities, as several sports begin practice before Sept. 1.

In the fall of 2017, football practice can begin as early as Aug. 1. Other sports also start wel before Sept. 1, such as girls golf (Aug. 7), girls tennis and swimming (Aug. 8) and cross country, boys soccer and volleyball (Aug. 14). 

The discussion will also include the fact that each schools knows the best calendar to bring out the most in students.