By Ezra Kim
The Mirror Staff
Superintendent Michelle King proposed a compromise for school to start a week later than the early start day.
NEWS
School Board Decides to Start 2017-18 School Year One Week Later
Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, classes are scheduled to start one week later under a plan that was approved on Tuesday by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education.
Originally, three board members—Richard Vladovic, George McKenna, and Scott Schmerelson—introduced a resolution for school to start after Labor Day.
The board members voiced concerns that the early start date cuts into vacation time and costs the school district extra money for air conditioning bills during the hot month of August.
On the contrary, other district reports have found that pushing the start date after Labor Day would cost LAUSD $134 million due to advance payments and other factors.
Superintendent Michelle King proposed a compromise for school to start a week later than the early start day.
The plan was approved 5-2, with board members Monica Garcia and Monica Ratliff voting against. Board President Steve Zimmer and Ref Rodriguez voted with the majority.
Next year, school will begin on August 22. The following year, it is planned to start a week later on August 28.
Other changes in vacation time will result as a byproduct of this decision. For the 2017-2018 school year, Thanksgiving break will shorten from a week to 5 days. Winter break will shorten from three weeks to two weeks.
Van Nuys High Principal Ms. Yolanda Gardea is disappointed with the board’s vote.
“I think it was a poorly thought out decision,” she said. “We have been doing what was best.”
She also pointed out that with the change, students will have less time to study for AP exams.
“Students will have nothing to do after the AP exams. We will have to catch the students running out on the field.”
Sept. 22, 2016, 2:35 p.m. Updated to include quote from Ms. Gardea
