Backers of a plan to start public school in Sioux Falls after Labor Day say they are ready to bring the issue to a public vote if the Sioux Falls School Board doesn't take any action.
Story Created:
Nov 23, 2009 at 10:53 PM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 23, 2009 at 10:53 PM CST
They say if the Sioux Falls School District doesn't push back the start date for school, they'll bring the issue to a public vote.
This year, public school started on August 17th.
This group wants school to start after Labor Day, this year that would have been September 8th.
And they say if the school board won't help them make that change, they'll take their case to the voters.
The message to school board members was unmistakable.
"We have a right to make decisions about our kids and we want to be heard about it and we want the people we elected to listen to us." Rhonda Lockwood is one of several Sioux Falls parents who came to the board meeting, armed with 3,000 letters from parents who want the school year to start after Labor Day, saying Sioux Falls kids get short changed out of three weeks of summer time and family time.
This group says if the school board doesn't make a change, they will by taking the idea to a public vote. Late start supporter Stephen Williamson told the school board; "We think we can get the signatures and we think we can put it up for a vote.....because of our motivation we would win the election."
This group has been working on this idea for months, consulting parents and teachers, looking to build support.
Paul Jennings has been following it from the start and says if school is delayed, it would throw off semester testing schedules and potentially hurt kids who are already struggling in school. "If they have to wait 2 weeks after christmas to take their tests, they surely would not be in the passing category."
The school board did not make any comment, instead referring it to the district's school calendar committee.
Mom Wendy McDonnel is a member of the group supporting the change and says they're researching how to bring this to a public vote. "If it's a local vote which we've been advised that it is, we're more than prepared to do that."
It's anticipated the school district's calendar committee would next meet sometime after the first of the year.
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