Hartselle City Schools will have to adjust its school calendar after the Alabama Legislature passed a bill mandating the beginning dates for the yearly school calendar.

That means Hartselle could not start before Aug. 20 and would have to end by May 24. Currently, the system’s approved calendar begins on Aug. 8.

School Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed said a committee met last week to begin discussions on the new calendar. One proposal is to lengthen the days by 14 minutes to make up for the nearly two weeks.

“To stay accredited, we still have to have a 275-day school calendar,” Reed said. “We’re looking at increasing the school day by 14 minutes. We’re looking at all options at this point, but we’re still considering other options.”

Gov. Robert Bentley vetoed the bill Tuesday and sent it back to the Legislature with an amendment to give school system. However, it has been reported that there are enough votes to override the veto.

The Hartselle Board of Education also held a special called meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss a student issue.

The board voted unanimously to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation with its attorney. No action was taken following the private session.

Reed said he could not discuss the issue at the advisement of the board’s attorney.

“We have been directed not to comment on this situation at this time,” Reed said.