OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Iowa House passes a bill that would ban Iowa schools from starting classes before the fourth Monday in August; and that is not sitting too well with some school districts.

Take Ottumwa for example; if the district were to start school after the proposed start date, the entire school year would shift, including the semesters at the high school.

“What people do not think about is the semesters at the high school; and if we had a start date that was late, like they are proposing in Des Moines, then that would put the semester two to three weeks beyond the winter break,” said Dr. Davis Eidahl, Superintendent of the Ottumwa Community School District.

Certain members of the Iowa General Assembly prompted the change; being they want students and their families to be able to attend the Iowa State Fair.

Many throughout Iowa know how important the state fair is, both traditionally and economically, but when it starts to interfere with Iowa’s education system, that is where some educators draw the line.

Eidahl believes that having students come in at the beginning or towards the middle of August has worked for his district, and many others.

He believes that students are more motivated in August than they are in late June or early July, which is where, with the proposed changes, some districts could be ending their school terms.

“Come August, I think most students are ready to get back into the structure of the school day; and sometimes in Iowa, it is so hot outside that you would rather be inside. But, we see a difference in May and June with students anticipation of the warmer weather after a long winter; and I think it is easier for students to sit in a classroom in August and learn, than it is in June to learn,” said Eidahl.

Eidahl says he prefers that the school districts have local control.

The bill could still have a difficult time making it through the democratic-controlled Iowa Senate.

Below is a survey from 291 of Iowa's then-370 districts. The significant reasons for requesting a waiver primarily dealt with direct student learning, indirect student learning needs (teacher learning needs) or community expectations. The results include overlap if a district mentioned more than one reason for requesting a waiver.

What are the reasons you request a waiver to start the school year before September 1st.

Professional development
(Number of Districts) - 62
(Percent of Districts) - 21%

Finished by June
(Number of Districts) - 59
(Percent of Districts) - 20%

Hot August attention span is better than hot June
(Number of Districts) - 52
(Percent of Districts) - 18%

Sharing among districts/community colleges
(Number of Districts) - 40
(Percent of Districts) - 13%

Public and parent expectations
(Number of Districts) - 38
(Percent of Districts) - 13%

Graduate classes for teachers begin in June
(Number of Districts) - 32
(Percent of Districts) - 11%

Student learning needs
(Number of Districts) - 25
(Percent of Districts) - 9%

Staff decision / Collective bargaining
(Number of Districts) - 17
(Percent of Districts) - 6%

Align with neighboring districts
(Number of Districts) - 17
(Percent of Districts) - 6%

Students back for sports
(Number of Districts) - 16
(Percent of Districts) - 5%

To coordinate with student summer activities
(Number of Districts) - 12
(Percent of Districts) - 4%