Poll: Should Schools Start After Labor Day?

State Comptroller Peter Franchot pitched the idea last week that Maryland schools should start after Labor Day instead of in late August, according to the Baltimore Sun. He said the shift would bolster local businesses.

Some states have school calendars that defer the opening of school until after Labor Day. In Virginia, what is known as the “Kings Dominion Law” has been around since the 1980s, although the Huffington Post reported that the measure has opponents currently fighting for its repeal. With a name that references the theme park, the law mandates that schools not open before Labor Day, in large part to help promote tourism and business.

A few states away, Ohio lawmakers are looking into standardizing the state's school calendars so the academic year begins after Labor Day as well, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The issue is hotly debated there.

Educators who oppose the change worry about losing classroom time.

Supporters of the post-Labor-Day measure say it would help the economy.

In Maryland, the response to Franchot’s proposal has been "very positive," according to the comptroller’s spokesman Joseph Shapiro, "particularly from businesses on the Eastern Shore, around Ocean City and out in Western Maryland."

Business owners in those areas have said the difference in scheduling could "add millions in economic activity to their areas," he continued.

The change would also iron out wrinkles for employers. In Ocean City, "...they lose a lot of their seasonal workforce when kids have to go back to school," said Shapiro. "With a later start date, they'd be able to keep their trained and experienced staff and wouldn't have to worry about finding new people; it would relieve a lot of stress."

Since last week, families have chimed in on the discussion, contacting Franchot through email and Facebook.

"I'd say the responses are running 90 percent positive," said Shapiro. "Parents like the idea of having that extra time and being able to plan out family trips all through August."

Howard County parents have echoed the desire for the school calendar to allow time for families to take and recuperate from vacations. When school resumed on Jan. 2 after winter break, readers who took the Patch poll were divided but leaned toward having additional time before kids went back.

What do you think?