We are in West Michigan and got a waiver to start early. All of the schools in our county begin on 8/28. My nephew (in the neighboring county) begins on 8/23. My girls are in high school and the first football game is next week. My girls march so they will be at that game. There is also another one the Thurs. before Labor Day so we can't go away or vacation. If they want to make it so school begins after, they need to make sure nothing happens before and that's not possible due to the number of weeks they have to fit everything in. I hated that "law" and am so glad we are starting sooner.