LAWRENCE: Schools adjust fall start date

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The schoolhouse doors will open a couple of days earlier than usual in September, based on the proposed 2009-10 calendar prepared by school district officials, because Labor Day falls a little later than usual.
    The proposed calendar was passed by the Lawrence Township Board of Education on first reading Monday night. Two board members — John Gregg and Kevin Pollock — voted against it.
    Labor Day occurs on Monday, Sept. 7, but students would report for the first day of class on Thursday, Sept. 3. The second day of class would be Friday, Sept. 4. Both days would be half-days. School would be closed Labor Day, and classes would resume the next day.
    Rebecca Gold, the school district’s director of personnel, said the proposed calendar “is one of the most difficult calendars” because Labor Day occurs late. She said she surveyed other school districts and found that some districts plan to open before Labor Day.
    Ms. Gold said that if school begins after Labor Day, the school year would extend into late June. The proposed calendar ends school on June 18, she said, adding that it is important that the community knows school would close on that date.
    But Mr. Gregg said he had “heard in the community” that some people have already planned their summer vacation, assuming that school would begin after Labor Day.
    School board member Michael Brindle said “nobody is going to be happy” with the proposed calendar, but this is not the first time that has happened. People like to “get away” in June, he said.
    School board President Laura Waters pointed out that some summer camps begin June 21. It’s a “really hard calendar,” Ms. Waters said.