(AP) — Michigan is waiving more public schools from a decade-old law requirement to open after Labor Day — a nod to increasingly popular year-round schooling, the addition of more mandated class days and other factors. In 2006, the first year in which August start dates were legally off limits without an exemption, the state Department of Education issued nine waivers — two to K-12 districts and seven to charter schools. Education department spokesman Bill DiSessa said the number of waivers may continue to rise in part because more intermediate districts were approved this year for exemptions covering all or most of their local districts. "If you're really about the kids, then we should be pushing for earlier start times," said Sen.