Speak Out: Should School Start After Labor Day?
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says Maryland's families and economy would benefit from a later school year start. Do you agree?
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Should public schools open after Labor Day? Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says they should.
Citing the benefits to Maryland families, small businesses and tourism, Franchot called for a policy change to have all school systems in the state begin classes after Labor Day weekend, according to a press release.
Most state school systems now begin classes a week to 10 days before the end-of-summer holiday, which takes place this year on Monday, Sept. 3.
For the 2012-13 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 27. Nearby, in Prince George's County, students will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 20. Teachers generally report back to school a week before the students.
Franchot said school systems should be able to adjust their calendars while maintaining the 180-day academic year.
Other states—such as Virginia—that have adopted the policy of starting school after Labor Day have documented the policy's benefits to their state and local economies, Franchot said in a press release.
In Maryland, a typical August week in Ocean City generates almost $5 million in state and local revenues. A holiday weekend generates nearly $3 million.
Do you agree with the comptroller? Should school start after Labor Day? How would your family benefit from a later school year start? Tell us in the comments.
Stacy
9:28 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
I've never seen the student benefit of MCPS starting just before the holiday. The Friday before Labor Day is a skip or sick day because students are usually leaving for the beach or elsewhere for the holiday weekend. If they are in school on Friday, they've mentally checked out. Its a waste of tax dollars and parent/student time.
Mom22
2:37 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
I feel the whole concept of such a long summer break is so wrong. The kids regress so badly because they tend to forget what they have learnt the whole year. For the working parents such a long break means camp and other child care expenses. The county spends so much money on ESY for special Ed students, A break for 6 weeks will save a lot of money! The winter holiday break can be longer so that some people can go to warmer places and escape the cold for sometime. I personally feel the schools should be open long before Labor Day!
Janie Sousa
10:03 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
I think delaying back to school from 27 August until after Labor Day is a bad idea. I've read several accounts where Comptroller Peter Franchot suggests that students lose vacation time through out the school year to avoid a going to school until the end of June. How selfish to assume the gain in revenue is worth more than our family vacations. Not everyone in MD spends thousands of their money at the beaches!