School officials are split on whether to start the school year before or after Labor Day.

Some felt that days in August were more valuable to students and teachers than those at the end of June. Others thought that by starting midweek at the end of August the transition from summer to school was too early and too fast.

The School Committee discussed the schedule at Wednesday's committee meeting. Schools Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood and other administrators have been working with teachers since December on developing next year's calendar. Director of Curriculum Andrea Schwamb said there were three proposed calendars employees voted on. She said the one brought forward at Wednesday's meeting was the overwhelming favorite.

"I'm concerned with starting this early," School Committee member Michael Flaherty said of the proposed Thursday, Aug. 27 start date next year. Schools would close on June 20, 2016 in the proposed schedule.

School Committee member Rhonda Veugen said she felt starting on a Thursday makes the transition from summer to school feel rushed, as opposed to starting after a weekend. She was also concerned that there was not a full week of school included in the first four weeks of school.

Schwamb said that having a series of four-day weeks to start was actually created a good transition for students and faculty.

Wareham started this school year on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the day after Labor Day. Of the other eight South Coast Conference schools, five started this school year on Tuesday, Aug. 26, while Dighton-Rehoboth, Freetown-Lakeville and Seekonk started on Sept. 3 and 4.

"It's much easier to teach in August than in June," said School Committee member Mel Lazarus. "The students are going to get more out of it. Everyone is burnt out in June."

Lazarus, who supported the proposed schedule, added that most school buildings are not air conditioned and only have the high school is air conditioned.

Fifth grade English teacher Brian Fitzgerald said that in December, over 90 percent of more than 100 Wareham educators surveyed wanted to go with the proposed Aug. 27 start date schedule.

Flaherty said he wanted to reach out and receive more feedback from parents on the proposed schedule.

When it was determined a vote was not needed at Wednesday night's School Committee meeting, Flaherty tabled the discussion until the next meeting.