We're finding that many schools will be opening before Labor Day or at least bringing teachers in before Labor Day. Some 31 districts in Bergen and Passaic counties start Wednesday. Among them are Wayne, Passaic, Pascack Valley, Teaneck, Wallington, Paramus, Tenafly, and Rutherford. Englewood is among those with a Thursday kick-off. A late Labor Day is not the only reason for the array of opening days.
Specific decisions made by individual districts also come into play.
In fact, officials say, devising a school calendar is never easy. Districts also must factor in state and federal holidays, provisions of local teacher union contracts, dates of education conferences, and days set aside for staff training. One district might choose to take a full week off for winter break, another just a day or two. Officials also consider the impact of projected days off on testing schedules, family vacations, and summer camps. It can bring out more people than the budget, and for all the work you do you can't make everybody happy.