Walker: School Won’t Start Before Sept. 1

Gov. Scott Walker says there’s no way state lawmakers will repeal a law blocking public schools from starting classes before Sept. 1 this session.

The La Crosse Tribune reports Walker made the remarks during a stop Tuesday at Lemonweir Elementary School in Tomah. That school will start a year-round schedule in July.

School boards in Tomah and La Crosse have gone on record opposing the Sept. 1 start date. But Walker said legislators have no desire to repeal the start date, which has been on the books since 2000.

He said the state’s summer tourism industry needs the later start date to ensure it doesn’t lose days of potential revenue and the state gains millions in sales tax revenue by extending the tourist season.