–The Algona School Board approved a change to the district’s calendar for the 2024-2025 school year during their meeting Monday night. Superintendent Joe Carter addressed the board and explained why they needed to amend the start date on the calendar.
State law says schools can not begin classes until August 23rd, but there had been discussions during the legislative session to change that date, as this year August 23rd falls on a Friday. Carter says the amended calendar still meets all state requirements.
The Iowa Legislature passed a law back in 2015, mandating that schools could not begin classes prior to August 23rd. The initial intention was to make sure school did not begin before the conclusion of the Iowa State Fair. Lawmakers considered changing the law to allow schools to begin the week of August 23rd, but that change failed to win approval during the legislative session. This year’s Iowa State Fair ends on August 18th.
