Idaho Lawmakers Propose Post-Labor Day School Start

Bill aims to boost tourism and improve student learning over holiday break.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Idaho legislators have introduced a bill that would push the first day of school for all Idaho schools to the Tuesday after Labor Day. The bill’s sponsor, Representative John Vander Woude from Meridian, says the later start date would help the state’s tourism industry retain employees through the holiday and allow students to better retain knowledge learned before the Christmas break.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation reflects an ongoing debate over the optimal school calendar, balancing the needs of families, students, teachers, and local industries like tourism. Supporters argue a post-Labor Day start would benefit both the economy and student learning, while critics may be concerned about disrupting established school schedules.

The details

Representative Vander Woude pitched the legislation in front of the House Education Committee, proposing all Idaho schools start the Tuesday after Labor Day. He said the later start would help the state’s tourism industry keep employees through the holiday, and that students would better retain knowledge learned before the Christmas break if the semester ended in January instead of December.

  • The bill was introduced in the Idaho legislature in February 2026.

The players

Representative John Vander Woude

A legislator from Meridian, Idaho who introduced the bill to push the school start date to after Labor Day.

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What they’re saying

“They kind of explained to me that one of the reasons they start that early so they can finish up a semester before Christmas break. Christmas break kind of causes challenges with, you know, if you’re to continue on after Christmas break with your, what you’re trying to teach before Christmas break.”

— Representative John Vander Woude (ktvb.com)

“If a kid doesn’t remember it for two weeks, did he really learn it? And if the semester ends in January, I was hoping that they would retain that knowledge longer than just that two-week Christmas break or the week Christmas break.”

— Representative John Vander Woude (ktvb.com)

What’s next

The bill will go back to the House Education Committee for further discussion and potential amendments before a full legislative vote.

The takeaway

This proposal reflects an ongoing debate over the optimal school calendar, with supporters arguing a post-Labor Day start would benefit both the tourism industry and student learning, while critics may be concerned about disrupting established schedules. The outcome could impact families, teachers, and local businesses across Idaho.