What They Are Saying: Governor Hogan's Executive Order to Start School After Labor Day is Welcomed by Parents and Students

Mother Of Two Teenagers And Mental Health Therapist Ebony Hicks: “They study a lot during the school year in an academically intense school, so it’s nice to give them more time to be off.” (Josh Hicks, “Hogan Orders Md. Schools To Start After Labor Day Beginning Next Years,” The Washington Post, 8/31/16)

Baltimore County Parent Nicki Bollhorst: “We did it when we were in high school. I think they can figure it out.” (Erin Cox and Liz Bowie, “Hogan Orders Maryland Public Schools To Start After Labor Day, Sparking Political Fight,” The Baltimore Sun, 8/31/16)

Somerset County Parent Elizabeth Jordan: "I think it's a great idea for kids to go back to school after Labor Day. It will be a longer summer, and would give parents time to get things together." (Gino Fanelli and Deborah Gates, “Kids, Parents Like Hogan’s Post-Labor Day School Mandate,” Delmarva Now, 9/2/16)

Parent Meagan Curtis: “I’d much rather him be more comfortable and have more time with friends than be tied to school... He’s a second-grader. He needs his summer and time with friends." (Josh Hicks, “Hogan Orders Md. Schools To Start After Labor Day Beginning Next Years,” The Washington Post, 8/31/16)

Parent Sylvia Thomas: "Going back to school after Labor Day is a good idea. They are there for a couple of days, and then they are right back out. That's a waste of time." (Gino Fanelli and Deborah Gates, “Kids, Parents Like Hogan’s Post-Labor Day School Mandate,” Delmarva Now, 9/2/16)

Parent Alyssa Melani: “I feel like it’s disruptive, because they get one week of school, and then they have a long weekend. They miss Monday and then they’ve got to readjust, and routine is important for kids.” (Paul Gessler, “School Systems Search For Ways To Comply With New School Year Mandate,” WBFF, 8/31/16)

Spanish Teacher John Lowe: “For me, it’s kind of like returning to what we used to do.” (Emily Chappell,’Reactions Mixed After Hogan Orders Post-Labor Day Start To School Year,” Carroll County Times, 8/31/16)

Baltimore City Teacher Rita Tate: "It allows for an extended vacation which is nice instead of coming back to work as a teacher two weeks before Labor Day.” (Tim Tooten, “Parents, Educators React To Gov. Larry Hogan’s Post-Labor Day School Start,” WBALTV, 8/31/16)

Comptroller Peter Franchot: "We're doing this for Maryland families and for our state economy, for the students who rely on summer jobs for themselves and their families, for the small businesses that won't have to lose their experienced staff in August, right at the peak of tourism season.” (Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, “Hogan Orders Post-Labor Day Start Date For All Public Schools,” The Frederick News Post, 8/31/16)

Senator James Mathias: “I’m grateful to Governor Hogan for his action today. 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 be on the boardwalk the weekend before Labor Day. This is a win for the families and for the economy.” (“Governor Hogan Changes Maryland Schools Start Date,” WMDT, 8/31/16)

Senator Johnny Ray Salling: “It’s a bipartisan thing what we’re doing… Especially with the air conditioning problem that we have, we can start school after Labor Day, I think it’s not a cure all, but I think it’s something that can make a difference.” (Senator Johnny Ray Salling, Facebook, 8/31/16)

Delegate Mary Beth Carozza: “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.” (“Governor Hogan Changes Maryland Schools Start Date,” WMDT, 8/31/16)
“I’ve heard from many families, teachers, and our small business owners who have long supported a late 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.”

Delegate Neil Parrott: “It benefits families.” (Julie Greene, Hogan Order To Start School After Labor Day Draws Fire,” Herald-Mail Media, 8/31/16)

Delegate Christian Miele: “Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, and Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat, don’t just talk about bipartisanship; they practice it. Today’s announcement that Maryland public schools will - starting next year - begin after the Labor Day holiday is good news for Maryland families, our state’s economy, and the safety and well-being of our children.” (Delegate Christian Miele, Facebook, 8/31/16)

Delegate Matt Morgan: “I like this because it allows time for kids to get a summer job.” (Delegate Matt Morgan, Facebook, 8/31/16)

Delegate Rick Metzgar: “I think it’s a common sense approach, it’s a bipartisan effort. I think it’s time we realize it’s not just a political thing, it’s for the children.” (Senator Johnny Ray Salling, Facebook, 8/31/16)
“It’s a tax increase for the state - an extra 10 days of summertime, for our greatest asset of Ocean City, as well as 11 days of summer for our fair and many activities for our children and families together.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan: “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.” (“Hogan Orders Schools To Start After Labor Day, Starting Next School Year,” WBAL, 8/31/16)
“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.”

Dan Cox, Congressional Candidate MD-08: “I applaud the Governor @LarryHogan decision to return school after Labor Day. #LetSummerBeSummer #MD08.” (Dan Cox For Congress, Twitter Feed, 8/31/16)

Carroll County Times Editorial: “Gov. Larry Hogan and Comptroller Larry Franchot will make an announcement Wednesday in Ocean City regarding the start of school in Maryland, with the Republican governor possibly announcing an executive order for all public schools in the state to start classes after Labor Day beginning in the 2017-2018 school year… That’s definitely a good thing, but more than that, we think it would be welcomed by parents and students…”(Editorial, “Support For Post-Labor Day School Start,” Carroll County Times,8/31/16)

Delmarva Now Headline: "Kids, Parents Like Hogan's Post-Labor Day School Mandate" (Gino Fanelli and Deborah Gates, “Kids, Parents Like Hogan’s Post-Labor Day School Mandate,” Delmarva Now, 9/2/16)

92% Of Respondents In An Online Survey Conducted By WBALTV Support A Post-Labor Day School Start Date. (“Poll: Should School Start After Labor Day?,” WBALTV, Accessed: 9/2/16)

76% Of Respondents In An Online Survey Conducted By The Baltimore Sun Support A Post-Labor Day School Start Date. (“Post-Labor Day School [Poll],” The Baltimore Sun, 8/31/16)

74% Of Respondents In An Online Survey Conducted By The Capital Gazette Support A Post-Labor Day School Start Date. ("Poll: Was Gov. Larry Hogan Right To Order All Maryland Schools To Start After Labor Day?," Capital Gazette, 8/31/16)


Executive Vice President Of Public Affairs For U.S. Travel Association Jonathan Grella: “Your kids would no doubt relish an extra week of summer vacation. But are there any other benefits to pushing the first day of school until after Labor Day? In Maryland (where my family and I reside), Gov. Larry Hogan has signed an executive order that makes that idea a reality—an interesting development that acknowledges both the vital role of the travel industry in the state’s economy and the personal benefits of family vacation time.” (Jonathan Grella, “No School Until After Labor Day: Not Just Kids’ Stuff,” U.S. Travel Association, 8/31/16)
“A major selling point: the extra $74 million the extra week of summer would bring to the state’s economy.”
“A $74 million tourism bump also goes a long way to support jobs in the state: for every $1 million spent by travelers in Maryland, 7.8 jobs are created.”
“Extending summer by another week does not necessarily mean shortening the school calendar (Gov. Hogan plans to make those days up later in the year)—and it may even provide more time for valuable educational opportunities outside the classroom. A 2013 U.S. Travel Association study found that 80 percent of kids who vacationed with their families—no matter where or for how long—were significantly more engaged at school. These kids were then more likely to earn more money as adults and attain higher education.”
“Gov. Hogan’s effort shows that travel’s voice is being heard.”

Executive Director Of The Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber Of Commerce Melanie Pursel: “We want people here. The weather is beautiful and the water is warmest it is all year in August. I think it will be incredible for Ocean City.”(Carley Milligan, “Starting Schools After Labor Day Makes Business Owners Beam,” Baltimore Business Journal, 9/1/16)

Maryland State Fair: “Thanks Governor Hogan and Comptroller Franchot for Letting Summer be Summer from #MYMDStateFair, Deggeller Attractions, and thousands of 4-H/FFA members, fairgoers, and more.” (Maryland State Fair,Facebook, 8/31/16)

General Manager Of The Maryland State Fair Andrew Cashman: “It is absolutely wonderful for us, we are so excited. By being able to get them here during the week, it is going to help us tremendously.” (Carley Milligan, “Starting Schools After Labor Day Makes Business Owners Beam,” Baltimore Business Journal, 9/1/16)

President Of Coppermine Fieldhouse Alex Jacobs: “It will actually be beneficial for us because we can bring more kinds in for the camp.” (Carley Milligan, “Starting Schools After Labor Day Makes Business Owners Beam,” Baltimore Business Journal, 9/1/16)

Owner Of Bill’s Seafood & Catering Co. Bill Paulshock: “Small business, everybody knows is the backbone of this economy., but it’s been tough. And one holiday weekend can help a small business survive three to six weeks over the winter.” (“Gov. Hogan Signs Executive Order For Maryland Public Schools To Start After Labor Day,” Fox 5 DC, 8/31/16)