From the Office of the Governor of Maryland:
Governor Larry Hogan today signed an Executive Order that will require Maryland’s public schools to start classes after Labor Day, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. Citing the benefits of a post-Labor Day school start for families, students, teachers, and the economy, the governor made the announcement on the Ocean City Boardwalk, where he was joined by Comptroller Peter Franchot, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Senator James Mathias, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza, education advocates, and other longtime supporters of a post-Labor Day school start.
“Starting Maryland public schools after Labor Day is not just a family issue – it’s an economic and public safety issue that draws clear, strong, bipartisan support among an overwhelming majority of Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan.
“Comptroller Franchot and I believe, and the people of Maryland strongly agree, that this Executive Order puts the best interests of Marylanders first, especially the well-being of our students. This action is long overdue, and it is simply the right thing to do.”
The Executive Order signed today will require that Maryland’s public schools begin after Labor Day, complete the 180 days that are required under state law, and adjourn by June 15, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. The executive order does permit for a waiver to be applied for with the Maryland State Department of Education to be exempt from the post-Labor Day start date. For the 2017-2018 school year and beyond, local school systems will have to apply annually for a waiver based on compelling justification. Furthermore, the State Department of Education will establish procedures and standards for school districts and individual schools seeking special waivers to accommodate non-traditional schedules.
“I applaud Governor Hogan for signing today’s executive order,” said Comptroller Franchot. “This sensible, long-overdue adjustment of Maryland’s public school calendar will be a lifeline for those small, locally-owned businesses that are the backbone of our state’s economy and have struggled in the midst of the slowest economic recovery in our nation’s history. It will generate new state revenues that can be reinvested in our classrooms and for other vital priorities. It will spare tens of thousands of teachers, students and school employees from having to return to sweltering, unhealthy classrooms in the hottest days of August.
“And finally, it will give families throughout our state time to enjoy those final days of summer the way they were meant to be enjoyed, whether it is taking that final vacation to the beach or the lake, visiting the Inner Harbor or catching an Orioles game, enjoying an evening at the Maryland State Fair, or just relaxing a bit at home. As a father myself, I know that kids grow up far too fast and the time that families have together, in this day and age, goes by in an instant. The action taken today by Governor Hogan will give our families the priceless gift of time, and for that I am personally grateful.”
In recent years, the effort to start schools after Labor Day has garnered overwhelming support across the state. Two independent polls by Goucher College, conducted in 2014 and 2015, showed that more than 70 percent of Marylanders support this initiative. Additionally, a petition in favor of a post-Labor Day school start has collected nearly 25,000 signatures.
The significant economic benefits of a post-Labor Day school start have been well documented. A 2013 economic impact study by Maryland’s Bureau of Revenue Estimates found that a post-Labor Day school start could generate an additional $74.3 million in direct economic activity, including $3.7 million in new wages and $7.7 million in state and local tax revenue.
In 2013, a nonpartisan task force, which included teachers, administrators, school board members, PTA members, and other public stakeholders, was convened by the General Assembly and chaired by the Maryland State Department of Education to examine the effects of a post-Labor Day school start on Maryland’s education system, as well as its economy and tourism industry. In a report that was issued on June 30, 2014, the task force stated “there was no compelling evidence that showed there was any impact on education starting post-Labor Day.” The task force voted 12-3 to recommend that schools begin after Labor Day.
Longtime supporters of this effort were pleased with today’s announcement.
“Starting school after Labor Day gives families more time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and provides small businesses a significant economic boost when they need it most,” said Mayor Meehan. “It also creates jobs and generates revenue for our state’s economy. After a lot of hard work and tremendous effort, I am thrilled to see an executive order to start school after Labor Day, not because it is good for Ocean City, but because it’s good for the entire State. Maryland can finally ‘Let Summer Be Summer.’”
“I’m grateful to Governor Hogan for his action today,” said Senator Mathias. “I’ve worked on this effort for a long, long time, and I can’t wait to see the faces on the kids and families enjoying themselves the way they should on the boardwalk the weekend before Labor Day. This is a win for the families and for the economy.”
“Starting school after Labor Day is good for Maryland families and Maryland’s economy by giving that last stretch of summer for families and friends to spend together, either at home or on vacation,” said Delegate Carozza.
“I’ve heard from many families, teachers, and our small business owners who have long supported a later start school date, and after talking to school administrators and personnel, I am confident that the calendars will be well managed by our local boards.”
OK. I’m conflicted. I am 50 years old and a liberal independent. I think if Hogan keeps this up, I might vote for a Republican for the first time in my life.
“I might vote for a Republican for the first time in my life”…..are you a “liberal independent” or just a democrat? I agree with you that Hogan appears to be doing a fine job thus far.
OK. I’m conflicted. I am 50 years old and a liberal independent. I think if Hogan keeps this up, I might vote for a Republican for the first time in my life.
Stop making me like you!
Hogan is just a Democrat the way Democrats were in the ’50’s and ’60’s. Before they lost their mind. Or set up their own e-mail servers.
There was no email back then to set up – apples to oranges.
Rockfish,
Stop being obtuse if you can. You get the meaning. Hogan is getting it done and will continue to get it done. If the legislature doesn’t like it and if Nancy Kopp doesn’t like it and if you don’t like it then too freaking bad. I’m loving it. Hogan is flipping you all the bird and a large majority of the people are loving it.
Hey Rockfish,
Jaguar just tried to pound you. I wouldn’t her slide on that half @ss attempt.
I think Jaguar just called Rockfish stupid. I also think animals in glass habitats shouldn’t be throwing stones.
It’s not like it was 30 or more years ago. Memorial Day is non-negotiable. The addition over the years of Martin L. King’s birthday and Jewish holidays, makes it difficult to schedule 180 school days. Should they cut out any time off at Easter or Christmas? Teacher professional development days will all be held before and after the school year. That will help but not solve the problem. Otherwise, students will be going to late June. This will make it very difficult and I predict parents will complain about school being in session in late June.
The article states June 15th.
Saturday’s from March on!
The real answer is to have school year round, non stop, without a “summer vacation.”
Since for whatever reason there has to be so many employee service days, holidays, et al.
I went to school after labor days all 12 grades and got out by mid June. Whatever reason we can’t do that anymore, may as well cut summer vacation. Add a week for Christmas, Spring Break and a week for in-between graduating and a new class.
Its about time, who was the knuckle head that came up with the idea of starting school before Labor day. Kudo’s to Hogan, finally someone in politics has common sense.
Schools must get rid of needless days off like teacher development days. They’ll need to start showing some discernment regarding snow days and maybe, I don’t know, wait till it actually shows rather than canceling due to a forecast.
The only parents complaining are the ones that view sending their children to school as a babysitting service. “This makes it difficult on 2 working parents” is what I’m seeing. DEAL WITH IT!
Agreed!!!!! This generation is ridiculous…
Congrats Gov. Hogan and Comptroller Franchot. Let the kids enjoy the last week of summer. In the politically correct USA we will soon be closing schools for the Muslim, Buddhist,Hindu,Wiccan etc religious holidays so whats a few days before Labor Day.
Executive order? Hogan actually issued an executive order? Where did he get that idea? Oh, wait, yeah, from Obama who is the king of executive orders. And Hogan’s executive order was to actually implement what O’Malley wanted to do long ago.
So here is the message for Mike Miller and the teacher’s union leadership and anyone else that doesn’t like the order. Deal with it! Or file a law suit. Or just keep whining because you didn’t get your way. More of that not getting your way is coming, guys. And Kamenetz is now dodging the hot potato started by the Baltimore County School Board who can’t find their backside even with a flashlight and a mirror. Funny.
Is there any news story in Baltimore County that kamenetz won’t shove his mug in front of a news camera for!
What a toolbag.
This guy Franchot may end being a reasonable choice for governor after Hogan serves his 8 years. First Democrat in a long time that I could vote for. I did notice that every – and I mean EVERY – ad he ran for re-election NEVER said he was a Democrat.
Why doesn’t he sign an executive order to get rid of Common Core?
Don’t reserve your rooms yet with a non=refundable deposit. The dumbocrates and the teachers unions are going to fight this.
Why would they? They will still work the same number of days.
There is little reason for a 5 day Easter break or 5 day Thanksgiving break. This alone would add 6 days of classroom instruction. Many PD days cover the same topics year after year. Some of those cover things like retirement counseling by a private investment company. Really.
What does that have to do with improving teaching skills? Get rid of this kind of seminar and maybe PD days would be able to be cut down. Students tine would be better spent in the classroom. Maybe PD sessions could be completed in shorter sessions throughout the year. Most importantly, teachers are parents, too.
School Grunt, you are totally wrong about “retirement counseling” as a PD day. I went to a Retirement Meeting held by the State of Maryland and the Social Security Administration last fall. I had to use one of my three “urgent business” days. A PD day for this purpose has not been offered in Baltimore County in the last 32 years. In Baltimore County, we are off two days for Thanksgiving, not five. That includes Thanksgiving Day and the day after. I believe many Americans are off on Thanksgiving Day. You are correct that BC has a 5-6 day Spring Break. You are also correct that many of the PDs are redundant.Believe it or not, many teachers love their jobs and do everything in their power to facilitate learning each day and encourage our students to reach for the stars!
Harford County is already planning on putting in a waiver for next year to begin before Labor Day. The 2017-2018 schedule is mostly finished.
Yep. Put in a waiver request. And get told no. And when Baltimore asks for a waiver to the 180 day rule because of no A/C the answer will be no.
Personal development days, urgent business days
Who the hell thinks of these, and actually implements these? Someone way smarter than me.
If I was a teacher, I would call out of work for a kiss my ass day.
His tool ain’t so big anymore. You must remember the days of one room schoolhouse too.