(Milford)– Today (Tues.) is the first day of school for students in the Okoboji School District.
Okoboji is one of only 20 districts in Iowa to start classes after Labor Day.
Superintendent Quentin Reifenrath says this is the second year the Okoboji district has started classes after Labor Day. He says many of the district’s patrons like the later start.
Reifenrath says the later start also helps lakes area employers who run into a labor shortage at the end of August when other kids and college students are headed back to class. He says Okoboji students who work at those businesses also gain by making additional money.
The Iowa Legislature mandates schools start after Labor Day, but districts can get waivers for earlier starts from the Department of Education. 350 of Iowa’s 370 districts get the waiver.
On a related note, Reifenrath says some Okoboji High School students will be opting out of Physical Education this fall to take heavier academic loads. Students can opt out of P.E. for academic classes only…not for study halls.
