Mid-September school start proposed

Summers seem too short?

You could be in for a longer summer this year if the school board adopts the proposed district school calendar.

Granted, the calendar for the 2014-15 school year presented at Monday night’s Grand Coulee Dam School District board meeting isn’t the final one, but it gives a hint that the start of school this fall will be later than usual.

The district, in an effort to move into the new education facility on the first day of school, is looking at the opening date of Sept. 15.

Superintendent Dennis Carlson brought school board members up to date on the progress being made at the new school site. He noted that construction forces believe that by having some overtime days this late spring and summer, the school could be ready for students on Monday, Sept. 15.

The district is trying to avoid starting school this fall in the old buildings and then shortly afterward moving into the new building.

Students and parents will see some tightening up of schedules if the board opts for the Sept. 15 opening. The Christmas vacation period would be shorter, the mid-winter break would be gone, but the spring week-long break would remain.

School would get out June 18.

If the opening date holds up, students will get three whole months off this summer.