Palm Beach County school district 2013-2014 school year calendar decision expected today

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Palm Beach County school district will vote Wednesday on the official start date of the 2013 school year.

According to the recommended school year calendar, the proposed start date is Wednesday, August 14, 2013. That's almost a week earlier than when students started classes this year on August 20.

If approved, this would be one of the earliest start dates for Palm Beach County students since 2005 when they started classes on August 10.

District leaders say they chose the August 14 date for two reasons. They say it will help younger students transition into the school year by starting off with a three day week, rather than a full five day school week.

They add it will help balance out the semesters, since the second semester is a few days longer than the first.

Palm Beach County school board members will vote on the start date during a special meeting on Wednesday, which will take place after a workshop that starts at 3 p.m.