Dallas ISD considers starting school earlier next year
DALLAS - The largest school district in North Texas may start a little earlier next fall.
The Dallas Independent School District is hoping to get input from parents before finalizing the calendar for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.
The district wants the first day of school about a week earlier in August. It received a special designation as a District of Innovation and has more freedom than other districts in the state when it comes to mandates.
But the school year wouldn’t be longer. Schools would instead spread out holidays, student breaks and teacher instructional days. Officials said Dallas ISD would be more in sync with neighboring school districts, charter schools and the Dallas County Community College District.
“Now that we have our early college high schools and our collegiate academies, we’re also looking for ways for those students since DCCCD has different start times from the school district. It allows for those complexities to be all kind of meshed well within the calendar that’s being proposed,” said Dallas ISD spokeswoman Robyn Harris.
“I think it’s good for the district but they should get more opinions from other students to see if they agree or disagree on it,” said Abigail Morales, a freshman at Skyline High School.
Dallas ISD wants to know what everyone thinks about the proposed change. It will listen to public comment at the next school board meeting and has set up a website for parents to submit their feedback.