La Plata, MD – When Gov. Larry Hogan [R] signed an executive order requiring Maryland’s public schools to start classes after Labor Day Aug. 31, the act sent reverberations rippling through the state.
For the Charles County Board of Education, the new edict will mean having to adjust its already approved schedule for 2017-18.
“The last time we opened after Labor Day was 1991,” said CCPS Director of Media Relations Katie O’Malley-Simpson.
Board of Education Chair Virginia McGraw said she was disappointed with the governor’s order, stating the development of a school calendar should be left to the local boards of education.
“The establishment of a school calendar is a local decision that includes input from stakeholders, including students, parents and staff,” McGraw explained. “We believe that local boards of education should have autonomy over their school calendar.”
She added that in 2015, a majority of the more than 3,000 people who answered the CCPS calendar survey said they were in favor of a pre-Labor Day start date.
Charles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberly Hill agreed, saying she believes educators should also be involved in the development of school calendars.
“We create a school-year calendar based on instructional needs and student priorities,” Hill noted.
School is currently set to start Aug. 28 for next year.
“The board will have to adjust that calendar based on the governor’s order,” O’Malley-Simpson said. “I anticipate the board will want to discuss this over three-or-four meetings to get some public input.
“This new order probably means there will have to be some adjustments of holidays during the school year,” she added.
Hogan’s order also requires school systems to complete the state-mandated 180 student days and close schools for students by June 15.
The executive order does permit school systems to apply for a waiver through the Maryland State Department of Education.
The governor cited economic benefits in explaining the post-Labor Day starting date, saying the additional $74.3 million generated by the adjustment could be reinvested in schools and toward other state priorities.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com