The Waterloo school board is considering an earlier start to the 2027-28 school year to better align with a local private school and reduce transportation expenditures, district officials told trustees at an Oct. 14 meeting.
Why the change is on the table
Superintendent Brian Henning told trustees the proposal stems from a scheduling mismatch with St. John’s Evangelical Church and School in Waterloo, which currently begins classes a little over two weeks before Waterloo public schools. The difference requires the district to operate additional bus service for the period that only St. John’s students are in session. Henning said that extra service costs the district $12,500 annually.
In previous years, Henning said, St. John’s aligned its calendar with the public district, but after administrative changes at the private school it shifted its start date to match Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills. That realignment is the immediate cause of the extra busing expense the district is now seeking to address.
Next procedural step: a waiver request
To begin school before Sept. 1, the district would need approval from the Department of Public Instruction. Henning and District Business Manager Susan Daniels have prepared materials for a waiver application and asked trustees whether the board is willing to submit it and proceed with schedule planning if a waiver is granted.
“Again Suzi and I are looking at everything and anything to try to save money in the district,” Henning said.
Board President Sara Cummings questioned how an earlier start would affect the remainder of the academic calendar, including the end date. Henning said any change to the ending of the school year would depend on whether the waiver is approved and whether the board decides to realign the entire district schedule with St. John’s.
Trustees agree to explore the option
Trustees agreed to proceed at least as far as filing the waiver application and reviewing the outcome. They acknowledged that changing the district schedule could be complex, but also noted some families might welcome better alignment with St. John’s.
- Current extra busing cost: $12,500 for the period St. John’s is in session before the district
- Private school affected: St. John’s Evangelical Church and School (Waterloo)
- Possible earlier start: If approved, Henning estimated the district's start could be in mid‑August
The board did not commit to a specific start date if the waiver is granted. Henning offered only a rough timeline, saying the district would likely aim for a start in mid‑August but could not provide an exact date until the Department of Public Instruction rules on the waiver.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Extra busing cost | $12,500 |
| School proposing alignment | St. John’s Evangelical Church and School |
| Estimated new start if approved | Mid‑August (estimate) |
Local implications and unanswered questions
An earlier district start could have several local effects. Families with children in both the public system and St. John’s may benefit from a common calendar; conversely, changes could complicate childcare, summer plans and employment schedules for some households. Operationally, an earlier start could trim the short‑term bus costs identified by district staff, but the full fiscal impact would depend on the board’s broader scheduling decisions and whether other calendar elements are adjusted.
The board’s decision to apply for a waiver keeps the issue moving through official channels but does not guarantee a change. Any final calendar shift would require further discussion and a formal vote by trustees should a waiver be granted.
Reporting for this story is based on information provided at the Waterloo school board meeting on Oct. 14, including comments from Superintendent Brian Henning, District Business Manager Susan Daniels and Board President Sara Cummings.
