Meanwhile, 25 school districts in Southwestern Minnesota got the blessing from the state to start school earlier next year.The state department of education has Approved a plan by some area schools to start classes on August 23...almost 10 school days earlier than last year.While it's normally illegal to start the school year before Labor Day in Minnesota, the department can grant an exception by approving What's called a flexible learning year.Officials for the 25 districts involved say they believe they can improve test scores by Shifting the school year so there are more teaching days before the High-stakes spring tests and fewer afterward.