DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa schools will be able to start the upcoming academic year no earlier than Aug. 23rd, under a compromise bill that is now headed to Gov. Terry Branstad for approval.  Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal on Tuesday lifted a procedural hold he placed on the bill last week. The state House and Senate both approved the legislation, but Gronstal stalled, citing concerns that high schools would be excluded from setting year-round calendars.

Gronstal says it was time to move on. Branstad promised to sign the bill into law. The state announced plans late last year to stop issuing automatic waivers to allow districts to bypass current start date rules. Many lawmakers wanted districts to have control over their calendars, but Branstad argued that early start dates hurt tourism.