Hurley School Board backs earlier opener for classes

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley — The Hurley School Board agreed Monday to seek a waiver from the state Department of Public Instruction so it may start school earlier than Sept. 1.

District administrator Chris Patritto said there are many reasons Hurley should start classes in August.

He said the earlier start would more closely align the district with the Gogebic Community College calendar and provide more days for teacher in-service training during the school year. He said three in-service days per school year are not enough for the staff.

It would also allow more vacation days around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Patritto said many districts are opposed to the later start and a Sept. 5 school opener is set for next year under the state’s rule. That would set the last day of school back to June 3 or later.

It would mean the high school football team would play three games before the first day of school.

This year, a lot of students missed the days around Thanksgiving and Patritto said that isn’t helping them learn. “I think that family time is needed around Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said.

Patritto said other Wisconsin school districts will also be requesting waivers from the post-Labor Day state law.

He said he sent copies of the resolution the district adopted on Monday to state legislators, but has not heard back from anyone yet.

“It’s best for the kids to start early,” he concluded.

School board president Joe Simonich, of Kimball, asked what the consequences would be to the school district if it started classes before Sept. 1 without getting a waiver.

Patritto said state aid could be lost and the days spent in the classroom before Sept. 1 wouldn’t be recognized by the state.

He presented four alternatives to the school board for a calendar for the next school year, with two based on an early start.

The resolution seeking the earlier opener passed 4-0, with Mike Fontecchio absent.