Perry Hall Businessman Asks Lawmakers for Later School Start Date

A Perry Hall businessman was among those rallying in Annapolis Thursday for Maryland schools to wait until after Labor Day to begin.

“This is an annual economic stimulus that doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime,” said Bill Paulshock, owner of Bill’s Seafood & Catering Co.

A delayed school start would result in an additional $74.3 million in direct economic activity, according to a statement from Comptroller Peter Franchot, who has been encouraging a later start date.

Related: Franchot Says Starting School After Labor Day Could Bring Cash to State

“For small businesses like mine, adding a week or two to summer break can mean the difference between keeping the lights on or not,” said Paulshock, whose business at 9016 Belair Road runs year-round while the seafood industry is a seasonal one. For example, the wholesale price of a bushel of crabs fluctuates from $85 at the start of the season to $35 after Labor Day, the Department of Natural Resources told The Baltimore Sun in 2013.

“Starting school after Labor Day would give small businesses a big boost at a time when we could desperately use the help,” Paulshock said.

Should Maryland start school after Labor Day? Tell us in the comments!

Along with 13,240 other Marylanders, Paulshock signed a petition in support of the school year beginning after Labor Day that was presented to the Maryland General Assembly on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Governor-elect Larry Hogan added his signature to the petition during a press conference Thursday, stating: ”As a guy who spent a lot of summers with his family in Ocean City on Labor Day weekend, it makes a whole heck of a lot of sense to start school after Labor Day....This isn’t just a family issue, it’s an economic issue. It brings in a tremendous amount of economic activity, brings in tax revenue, and there’s no cost to the taxpayers.”

Pictured, Comptroller Peter Franchot looks on as Gov.-elect Larry Hogan adds his signature to the petition during a press conference Thursday morning in the Assembly Room of the Louis L. Goldstein Treasury Building in Annapolis. Officials announced that the petition drive exceeded its goal of 10,000 signatures. Standing at right is State Senator Jim Mathias (D-Wicomico, Somerset, Washington). Photo Credit: Office of the State Comptroller.