Schools in La Crosse could start in August if the state approves the early opening request

Public school students in La Crosse had to wait until Sept. 3 this year to start the fall semester. That’s because a Wisconsin state law says these schools can’t open until September 1st, and in 2024 the 1st fell on Labor Day weekend.

But the La Crosse school district plans to open the school buildings on August 21 next year. The school board voted this week to require an early start, and Superintendent Aaron Engel says there are financial reasons for the change.

“There is a start date waiver if you have onerous transportation costs or are a private school student, so that is something we are pursuing,” Engel tells WIZM News.

The school superintendent says the La Crosse district needs to provide bus service to many private school students who start classes in August. “It’s a pretty big burden on our school district to transport private school students before our students start, all of these additional bus routes, maintenance, driver training, certification,” Engel said.

State officials must weigh La Crosse’s request for a waiver of the September start date.