SF 205: Modifying the earliest possible start date of the school calendar for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools

What it does

This bill modifies the earliest possible start date of the school calendar for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools. Current law provides that the school calendar for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall begin no sooner than August 23. The bill modifies this provision to provide that the school calendar shall, instead, begin no sooner than the Monday immediately preceding the last Monday in August.

Senate subcommittee · named January 15, 2026

• Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Lynn Evans (R) · lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 4 against

For: Bitches Get Stuff Done; Dr. Tanja Garrison; Iowa Association of Christian Schools; Iowa Association of School Boards; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa State Education Association; Professional Educators of Iowa; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

Against: Adventureland Amusement Park; Iowa State Fair; Iowa Travel Industry Partners; Okoboji Tourism

In plain words

1. January 22, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee · as SSB 1036
2. January 22, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Shipley, Gruenhagen and Trone Garriott · as SSB 1036
3. January 30, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 1036
4. February 4, 2025Filed in the Senate
5. February 4, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
6. February 4, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 205 · as SSB 1036
7. June 16, 2025Sent to the Senate Education committee
8. January 15, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Shipley, Evans and Trone Garriott
9. January 21, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it