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Board votes to pursue DPI waiver to shift 2025–26 school-year start date citing transportation costs
Summary
The board adopted a resolution to seek a DPI waiver to start school earlier than Sept. 1 for 2025–26 to align with private-school calendars and reduce transportation costs; administration said aligning dates could mitigate added costs in the district budget.
The La Crosse School District board adopted a resolution directing administration to pursue a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) waiver that would allow the district to start the 2025–26 school year before Sept. 1. Administration said the waiver rationale is to reduce duplicative bussing costs for private-school pupils who often begin earlier and for whom the district is required to provide transportation. Dr Engel explained the fiscal logic, saying that the additional days "add about 4%" to the transportation schedule and that "a $5 million budget adds up to a lot of money" when extra days and routes are considered.
Board members discussed calendar options — whether to include an October break or to finish earlier in May — and reviewed survey results administration said showed majority support: roughly 62% of staff, 58% of parents and 48% of students indicated support in the district’s survey. The board voted to adopt the resolution and the superintendent said she would submit the waiver the next day. A roll-call vote was recorded and the chair announced the resolution was adopted; members present signaled in favor during roll call.
