Berrien RESA is planning a public hearing for next week to discuss the county’s state application requesting approval for a pre-Labor Day school start waiver.
RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock tells us the Michigan Department of Education requires school districts to apply for the waiver if they wish to start their school year before Labor Day. RESA is applying for one on behalf of all county districts, although that doesn’t require all districts to have the pre-Laor Day start. Hoppstock says this just gives them the option.
So, why would a district want to start the year before Labor Day?
“In Berrien County, we are doing it to allow us to line up with our career technical education programming that would allow us to coordinate start dates,” Hoppstock said. “In Berrien County, we have students that cross district borders to receive woodworking training, auto skills, health services. It would also allow us to align with our community colleges and Andrews University.
The official start of the school year in Michigan is after Labor Day to encourage one last blitz of summer travel, but Hoppstock says many districts opt out. RESA previously secured a waiver for the county, but now must do so again.
The public hearing for anyone to learn more, ask questions, or express concerns will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at the Berrien RESA Administrative Conference Center in Berrien Springs. A staff member from state department of education will participate remotely.
