Arguments Made For Late Start Calendar For Madison Schools

MADISON, NJ — Despite the fact that the school year has only just begun, discussions about next year's school calendar are already underway.

A recent Madison Public Schools board meeting was tasked with discussing the proposed 2023-24 school year calendar with members of the public, and one thing became clear: parents want a later start day.

Several parents took the podium and spoke via Zoom to advocate for a post-Labor Day start, citing how other companies structure their schedules around that holiday, making it an ideal time for family vacations.

According to the proposed school calendar, all students in the Madison Public Schools District would begin school on Aug. 28, 2023. The first day of the year was Aug. 29 this year and Aug. 30 the year before that.

"As a data person, I don't know if the board is open to surveying families about how they feel. Many parents that I am friends with have expressed dissatisfaction with starting prior to Labor day," local resident and Madison High School teacher Cheryl Bolton said.

Other parents expressed concern that the early start calendar appears to benefit only a small percentage of students enrolled in advanced placement classes, without taking the rest of the district into account.

Another parent contended that because of the early start, the district is more likely to issue half-days during the first few weeks of school due to excessive heat and a lack of air conditioning. "Students and teachers suffer in many hot classrooms and as my son described it, his classroom felt like death. The reality of getting AC in all classrooms is far off," resident Loryn Smith said.

The board mentioned how their potential upcoming referendum is looking to address facility improvements, such as adding air conditioning to the buildings. The three-question referendum was first proposed by the school board earlier this fall and is expected to go before the public sometime in March.

Read more: Future Referendum Highlighted In Madison Superintendent Coffee

Other parents expressed concern that an early start means an earlier end date, and most children's summer camps do not open until late June. This time difference makes it difficult for working parents to find reasonable child care during the weeks that other nearby school districts are still in session.

On the contrary, two high school aged students spoke up during the meeting and said that they preferred the earlier start. According to one of the students, they enjoy getting off from school in early June.

The board made no official decisions regarding the 2023–24 school calendar during the meeting. The next school board meeting is scheduled for, Dec. 20. To view the full agenda, click here.