Missouri denies 130+ schools’ requests for earlier start dates

NIXA, Mo. (KY3) – More than 130 Missouri schools have been denied requests to start classes earlier than state law allows, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Wednesday.

The denials affect schools across the state, including several local districts that had sought permission to begin classes before the current restriction. Missouri law prohibits schools from starting more than 14 days before the first Monday in September.

Nixa Public Schools was among the local districts denied an earlier start date. The district has opposed the state restriction since it took effect.

“Ever since the law changed, we’ve been vocal about that, saying, really, this is not what’s best for students,” said Zac Rantz, Chief Communication Officer with Nixa Public Schools. “Because we spent years really listening to our elected officials saying you need to get students college and career ready. And so, we really partnered up with our local colleges and really tried to kind of blend our calendars together. Get those start and end dates about the same.”

Districts cite community impact

School officials say the rigid start date requirement doesn’t account for the unique needs of different districts and their communities.

“There’s also a lot of economic development things in every community that actually can be impacted when school’s in session or not in session,” Rantz said. “And so, being able to really work as a community focus to have those schools start and end dates is a bonus for every school district.”

The denial creates challenges for curriculum planning at affected schools. Teachers at Walnut Grove School District will need to adjust for semester imbalances caused by the restricted start date.

“It’s about a 15-day difference. And so, when you’re talking about a semester-based course, I mean, with content, your 15 days of content in the first semester is gonna be a little bit different,” said Walnut Grove superintendent Rory Henry. “So, teachers are gonna have to just really make sure that they’re utilizing time and trying to get as much of the content as they can in at the time that they have.”

DESE said it will deny any additional waiver requests this year. Schools like Walnut Grove and Nixa say they hope local legislators will address the issue to restore local control over school calendars.

“It’s really important that the local communities and local districts are able to decide what’s best for them,” Henry said.

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