The Bloomington school board has signed off on a pre-Labor Day start for the district with classes set to begin on Sept. 1.

In doing so, the school district joins a growing list of those seeking an exemption from state law that stipulates schools open after Labor Day.

This year the holiday falls late in the month - Sept. 7.

"The new calendar will also allow for more instructional days before student assessments," said Assistant Superintendent Chris Lennox. "

The 2015-2016 calendar looks the same as the current year except for the pre-Labor Day start, school officials said. The last day of school will be June 3.

The district qualified for the exemption because it has more than $400,000 in capital projects to undertake in specific year. In 2013, Bloomington voters approved several safety and facility upgrades for the district.