Monroe Public Schools has announced three public hearing dates to explain the benefits of starting the 2020-2021 school year prior to Labor Day.  The district has planned a September 2^nd start.  Public hearings will be held at the Monroe Public Schools Administration Building (1275 N. Macomb St.) on Monday, January 6, 4-5 p.m.; Wednesday, January 8, 11 a.m. – noon; and Tuesday, January 14, 8-9 a.m. 

The Pre-Labor Day Start Calendar proposed by MPS would begin with a student half day on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.  Students would attend a full day on Thursday, September 3.  There would be no school on Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7 (Labor Day).  The remainder of the week (Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11), students would attend full days.

In order to start prior to Labor Day, Michigan school districts must request a waiver from the State of Michigan.  Nearly 200 waivers were granted state-wide for the 2019-2020 school year.  The scheduled hearings are a requirement for the waiver.  Each MPS hearing will include an informational presentation and a feedback session.

“As we continue to expand our options for students to earn college credit, it better serves our students and their families if our academic calendar is more closely aligned with college calendars,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Everly stated.  “Our schools are providing instructional, enrichment, and athletic programming throughout the summer.  Therefore, many students remain in our schools throughout July and August.”

Monroe Public Schools is introducing a five-year Early Middle College program this year in collaboration with Monroe County Community College, which will enable students to earn an Associate degree or certificate in addition to their high school diploma.  The number of Monroe High School students participating in dual enrollment and direct credit programs also continues to grow.   Monroe County Community College has not finalized its Fall 2020 start date, but MCCC students began on August 28^th in 2019. 

Students and staff may also appreciate the ability to avoid going later into the summer.  Labor Day falls late in 2020 – September 7th.  The required days of instruction for Michigan schools increased from 170 in 2012-2013 to 180 instructional days in 2016-2017, reducing flexibility for academic calendars.  Starting school a little earlier shifts hotter temperature days to the start of the year, when motivation levels are higher, and provides more instructional time prior to state assessments and advanced placement tests. 

Monroe Public Schools Holds Public Hearings on Pre-Labor Day Start