Lawmakers Push To Start Md. Schools After Labor Day
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Making the summer last longer. Lawmakers are headed in that direction with a proposal to extend the school summer break beyond Labor Day.
Political reporter Pat Warren explains it's on the agenda this legislative session.
Perry Hall business owner Bill Paulshock dreads the start of school almost as much as some kids do--if not more. His seafood carryout and catering business takes a hit.
"When kids go back to school before Labor Day, the season shuts down really two and a half weeks prior to Labor Day," said Paulshock.
Last summer, a citizen-led petition drive was born on the boardwalk to delay the start of school statewide until after Labor Day. They exceeded their goal of 10,000 signatures.
"With 13,243 signatures. And I'm anticipating, or hope, that we'll have an additional signature," said Comptroller Peter Franchot.
That additional signature came from Governor-elect Larry Hogan.
Setting a post-Labor Day start date has been a goal of Comptroller Peter Franchot since an economic impact report shows it's worth more than $74 million to the economy.
"As a guy who spent a lot of summers in Ocean City with my family on Labor Day weekend, I think it makes a whole heck of a lot of sense to start school after Labor Day," Governor-elect Hogan said.
Some educators have been resistant to the idea, but the General Assembly and the governor will apparently get the final say. A state task force has already recommended it.
The task force voted 11-4 in favor of a statewide delay.
State senator and former Ocean City mayor James Mathias will introduce the bill in the Senate this session.
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