Legislation Aims To Undo Governor’s Post-Labor Day School Order

OCEAN CITY — A pair of bills introduced in the state senate could, if approved, derail Governor Larry Hogan’s mandate for a post-Labor Day start to the school year in Maryland.

After several failed attempts at legislation, Hogan in 2016 surprised many when he issued an Executive Order mandating a post-Labor Day start to the school year for Maryland public schools. Despite some pushback from certain school districts across the state, Hogan’s mandate went into effect before the 2017-2018 school year and remains in effect during the current school year.

However, a pair of bills introduced late last week in the state Senate could overturn the governor’s edict if successful. Senate Bill 128, introduced by Senator Nancy King (D-39-Montgomery) and Senator Paul Pinsky (D-22-Prince George’s), would allow each school district in Maryland to set their own start and end dates including possibly year-round school. Senate Bill 131 would allow local jurisdictions to make school start date decisions without approval from the state school board or any other entity.

Hogan issued the order citing the importance of a post-Labor Day school start for students and their families hoping to eke out the remaining days of late August and perhaps more importantly the economies in areas that would benefit from longer summer vacation times. While the governor’s post-Labor Day mandate applies statewide, for many it has had the appearance of being a uniquely Ocean City issue because the resort perhaps stands the most to gain from the edict.

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