BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – An August 22 student start date for the 2017-2018 school year was approved on a 7-0 vote Monday night by the Bronson School Board of Education.
That will also be the day classes will start in the Coldwater and Quincy school districts.
The Branch County districts, along with the Branch Intermediate School District and Pansophia Academy, recently got a three year waiver from the Michigan Department of Education that would allow them to start classes before Labor Day.
School officials feel this will help students who are already taking part in extracurricular practices or who are attending middle colleges. The early start would also allow the first semester to end before the Christmas holiday.
Critics say it’s too hot to go back to school in August. They have also complained about a short summer vacation this year.
The early start would not affect students in the Union City School District since they belong to the Calhoun ISD.
School districts in Michigan can not start classes until the Tuesday after Labor Day unless they get a waiver.