Committee hears bill to let districts start school before Labor Day for two years

Senator Scott Swazinski introduced Senate File 1336 on March 12, 2025, asking the Senate Education Policy Committee to give school boards a two‑year option to start the academic year before Labor Day.

The bill would permit local school boards to adopt an earlier start date for the 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 school years without the current construction‑related exception or needing special permission from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Swazinski said the change is temporary and designed to test whether earlier starts help districts avoid late‑June end dates that can harm student outcomes and district finances.

Supporters told the committee an earlier start could provide more instructional days before spring assessments and reduce summer learning loss. Colin Cox, school board chair for Saint Louis Park Public Schools, said his district considered a 2026‑27 calendar that would end around June 15 and that earlier starts help align calendars with staff professional development, holidays and technical education internships. Manny Fletcher, superintendent of Blue Earth Area Schools, said his district adopted a pre‑Labor Day start this year to provide an additional week of instruction before the statewide testing window but cannot afford the current statutory path to do so every year because it requires either MDE permission or construction spending exceeding $400,000.

"Without legislative flexibility, we may be forced to return to a post‑Labor Day start despite having local stakeholder support for continued exploration of this model," Fletcher said.

School board representatives including Christy Peterson, vice chair of the Shakopee Public School Board and president of the Minnesota School Boards Association, testified that the bill preserves local control and does not mandate early starts. "This does not impose or require an early start date," Peterson told the committee. She listed potential benefits such as better alignment with higher education calendars, more instructional time before AP and other spring exams, and buffer days for weather closures.

Tourism and resort industry witnesses warned of economic harm to seasonal, family‑run resorts that rely heavily on August bookings. Joel Carlson, representing Minnesota Resorts, told senators the sector has declined from roughly 1,100 resorts to fewer than 600 and cited a University of Minnesota study finding families are 40–50% less likely to book August vacations if school starts before Labor Day. Joanna Wallenberg, co‑owner of Brookside Resort in Park Rapids, said roughly a third of her revenue comes in August and described the nonacademic learning that resorts provide to children and families.

Senators asked whether earlier starts would simply move the same amount of instructional time into an earlier period (and thus not reduce summer learning loss) and whether districts planning earlier starts would also end earlier. Senator Susan Skene noted many districts already begin athletic activities in mid‑August, and Senator Erin Duckworth said she would want to see specific calendar examples from districts before supporting a permanent change.

The committee adopted the A2 amendment by voice vote. The amendment removed paperwork the sponsor described as an "undue burden" on districts and MDE. After testimony and questions, Senate File 1336 as amended was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Votes at a glance

- A2 amendment to SF 1336 — moved by Senator Scott Swazinski; adopted by voice vote. (No roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript.) - Senate File 1336, as amended — laid over for possible inclusion in omnibus legislation (voice action; no roll‑call tally recorded).

Why it matters

If enacted, SF 1336 would temporarily expand local authority over school calendars statewide, letting boards experiment with earlier starts to evaluate impacts on student achievement, transportation and local economies. Supporters framed the bill as a short‑term, data‑gathering change; opponents from the resort and tourism industry warned of severe economic consequences for seasonal businesses that depend on August tourism.

What's next

The committee did not take a roll‑call vote on final passage; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Senate's omnibus package. Stakeholders from both education and tourism said they expect further study and potential follow‑up amendments if the measure advances.