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Some concerned that Seminole County could start school year week earlier than planned

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Seminole County families are worried a new state bill, that would push up school start times, will impact their summer vacation plans.

On Thursday, Florida legislators pass a bill that includes allowing school districts to move school up.

Many parents with children at schools in Seminole County have been planning their summers so that their children are ready to return to school Aug. 24. Now some are learning that they might have to return to school earlier than expected.

"I probably would feel a lot better," parent Jody Hasey said. "It's such a long break. They seem to get very bored easy."

Raw: Mother talks about possible change in start date

More Information: Florida House Bill 7069

Parents in Seminole county have gotten used to starting earlier than other districts because it was considered a high-performing district. But since Hamilton Elementary school received an F grade, state law wouldn't allow Seminole County to start school before Aug. 24th.
 
On Tuesday, state lawmakers passed a bill that would allow all districts to start as early as Aug. 10. Seminole County school leaders said if the governor signs the bill, they would like to bring students back to classes on Aug. 17.
 
"If they did push the schedule up, I think I'd be liking it very much," Hasey said.
 
But not all parent like the prospective change.
 
Channel 9's Deneige Broom noticed a number of parents sounding off about the potential change on school board member Amy Lockhart's Facebook page.
 
One parent wrote: "My kids won't be there, but the rest of y'all have fun. We will be in Yellowstone."
 
Another wrote: "This poses a problem for those of us that already planned vacations around the original start date."
 
Broom asked a school district representative what will happen if they change the schedule. He said the school principals will work with teachers and students to excuse any absences.
 
The district representative told Broom that the board has to make a decision by its May 5 board meeting.

Seminole County School District statement on start date change:

"We understand that our calendar change may create some challenges for our families.  Please be assured that our principals will work closely with our parents to accommodate as much as reasonably possible any verifiable absences associated with this change. The student attendance policies do provide principals with the authority to excuse absences for extraordinary circumstances.   The superintendent deems the district calendar change an extraordinary circumstance."

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