LAUSD board considering pushing back school start date

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Unified School District board members plan to discuss pushing back the school start date to after Labor Day during their next board meeting.

In 2012, the LAUSD decided to begin the school year in August so that students could finish the semester right before winter vacation. The decision guaranteed that students would not have to worry about taking finals after a long break.

Now, however, they are finding that the earlier start date results in higher costs for energy to keep classrooms cool at the end of August. Three board members are proposing a return to the post-Labor Day schedule.

Some parents agree with going back to the old schedule, saying summer has become too short for kids.

"Move it back. Let the kids have 'til after Labor Day," parent Jennifer Wharton said.

"I'm torn. I would prefer to start it after Labor Day, but if it helps the kids to learn and to enjoy their Christmas holiday, then who am I to stand in their way?" parent James Black said.

This change could possibly save millions of dollars in air conditioning costs, school officials say.

"It's so hot in here in August that it just seems like it's just too hot to go to school, and it seems a little wasteful to have to air condition the schools when it's that hot," parent Elizabeth Young said.

The idea is still in the early stages and the board will discuss it during their first board meeting next month.