Post-Labor Day School Start Is Now Official

On August 31st, Governor Hogan signed an Executive Order altering the start date of Maryland's public schools to after the Labor Day holiday, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

The 180-day school year will have to be completed by June 15. The idea is that all children will receive the same amount of instructional hours with the late school start. In addition, the Executive Order allows for a waiver to the Maryland State Department of Education to be exempt from the post-Labor Day start date. The waiver must be submitted annually and be based on compelling justification.

State Comptroller Peter Franchot, a long time champion of a post Labor Day school start said, "This action is long overdue, and is simply the right thing to do."

Supporters of the later school start claim it is a positive change for the economy and for Maryland families. A 2013 economic impact study by the Bureau of Revenue Estimates documented that the later start could generate an additional $74.3 million in economic activity. Included in that figure is $3.7 million in new wages and $7.7 million in additional state and local tax revenue.

The longer summer break gives families more time together. According to a poll conducted by Goucher College, 72% of Marylanders strongly support a post Labor Day school start. In addition, 25,000 Marylanders signed a petition urging the Legislature to adopt a post Labor Day school start date.

A nonpartisan task force to determine the later start's impact on education, including teachers, school board members, PTA members and chaired by the Maryland State Department of Education, concluded by a 12-3 vote that the post-Labor Day start inflicted no adverse effect on education. Supporters like to remind that most of the State's current population attended school at a time when the school year began after Labor Day.

During the past 2016 General Assembly session, I was the lead sponsor of HB 1349, which would have changed the start Maryland’s public schools to after Labor Day. That bill was defeated when the Senate voted down the cross-filed bill.

While I obviously agree with the policy that Governor Hogan announced, I am left wondering if it is within the authority for the Governor to issue such an Order? An Attorney General’s opinion should be here soon to clarify; nevertheless, it is rare for a Governor to announce an Executive Order with this type of broad reach. Decisions like these have always been up to each local school system. Other questions remain like, what is considered criteria for applying for a waiver? Can each jurisdiction handle the change before next school year? Will this change cause students to miss traditional holidays to make up time?

I am no expert with regard to Executive Orders, but I do know a thing or two about the legislative process. Through the legislative process, these are the types of issues that can be answered and addressed. I fear that without the benefit of a thorough review, that necessary discussion wouldn’t take place. Having said that I hope my fears are unwarranted, and I hope that this drastic change in the school starting date goes off without a hitch. Either way however, I have a feeling that the Legislature will be taking a closer look at this policy in 2017. Between now and then, I hope you will let me know your thoughts on this or any other issue that’s important to you.