District 300 to start school mid-August

Academics beat out recreation this week when Community Unit District 300 shifted the first day of classes to three weeks before Labor Day.

The school board voted Monday to start school Aug. 16 this calendar year and Aug. 15 in 2011, despite hearing from numerous parents who said the change would cut into vacation time and summer sports.

Administrators argue the early start date will give students more time to prepare for spring state assessments and allow high school students to take first-term final exams before Christmas break.

That rationale won over the board, which voted 5-1 in favor of the change.

"It's a two-year plan," said board Secretary Karen Roeckner, voting in the majority. "After that, we evaluate to see if it works or it doesn't work."

Dave Alessio was the sole board member to vote against moving the start date.

"The starting of the 16th would just be a little too early, and I'm worried about the compression of the first semester with the addition of a snow day," Alessio said.

Hampshire mom Jody Remakel said schools will see an increase in absenteeism and lose attendance-based state funding as a result of the earlier start date.

"I do not understand the complete issue with the (winter) break," Remakel said. "If you really want to (raise) test scores, can you extend the school day?"

District 300 has started classes in the first week of September or last week of August for the past three years because of construction at district schools.

This year's summer break will be at least two weeks shorter than in years past because of the transition from a late start to an early start.