There is no public feedback method at the level where the state considers a waiver to a school calendar, according to a Minnesota Department of Education spokesman.

However, school districts seeking what the state terms a “flexible learning year” must submit the minutes from at least three hearings on the proposal calendar, according to the MDE application. Albert Lea Area Schools is mulling what it terms a “balanced calendar” where pupils begin classes in August the week after the Freeborn County Fair. The calendar would provide more breaks for remedial education and enrichment opportunities.

The district held its three hearings this fall. There was a fourth at a school board meeting last week.

Districts seeking the waiver also must fill out the application. The waiver allows districts to be exempt for up to three years from a state law that requires classes to begin after Labor Day. The final decision on each waiver is made by Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius.

The application asks about basic items such as whether it is for a district or a consortium and which years and which calendar type.

The calendar types are:

• 45-15.

• Flexible all year.

• Extended learning year.

• Four quarters.

• Qiunmester.

• Four-day week.

• Other.

The application asks for the purpose of changing the calendar, how it would be implemented, whether the school has approved it, whether the administration has negotiated the calendar with unions, how to evaluate its success, how the district will comply with requirements for instructional hours, the reasons for starting before Labor Day and how the calendar will work with the new World’s Best Workforce initiative.

The school board and administrators have until April 15 to submit the application for the following school year.