COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – If everything falls into place, most Branch County students will be going back to class in late August of next year. Branch Intermediate School District Superintendent Joe Lopez told the BISD Board of Education Wednesday that the Michigan Department of Education has granted a three year waiver that would allow the BISD,. along with Coldwater, Bronson and Quincy schools along with the Pansophia Academy to start classes before Labor Day.
This would not affect students in the Union City School District since they belong to the Calhoun ISD..
School districts in Michigan can not start classes until the Tuesday after Labor Day unless they get a waiver.
The waiver would go into effect for the 2017-2018 school year.
Lopez first mentioned in August that Coldwater, Quincy and Bronson school officials had asked the BISD to file for the waiver.
He said there are still a couple of hurdles to overcome. It still needs approval by local school boards and bargaining units.
Lopez said the early start will help students who attend early or middle college.
It would also help fall sports athletes and members of high school marching bands since their practices start in early August and the first athletic contests take place in the middle of the month.
A start date has not been finalized but officials are looking at the week of August 21st. Lopez added they would not pursue the early start unless it gets approval from all of the districts involved.
