Prince George's County School officials warn that breaks may be shortened and some holidays eliminated thanks to an executive order signed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in Ocean City Wednesday.
Gov. Hogan’s order forces all public schools to extend summer vacation until after Labor Day and to dismiss for the year before June 15.
“Starting school after Labor Day would result in an additional $74 million in additional economic activity in Maryland,” Hogan said.
He was applauded by a large crowd of resort business owners who said revenue drops 30 percent when kids go back to school.
But school officials in Montgomery and Prince George's counties are asking legislators to challenge Hogan's authority to force local districts to change.
Maryland law requires kids to attend school a minimum of 180 days each year.
Prince George’s County Public Schools released the following statement in response to the governor’s order:
The Prince George’s County Board of Education has long opposed efforts to preclude school systems from deciding whether to start instruction prior to Labor Day. Gov. Hogan’s announcement today raises more questions than it answers, particularly in regards to the mandatory June 15 end date. Many districts like ours would have to severely shorten our calendars to reduce spring and winter breaks, cut staff development days or eliminate non-state mandated holidays.
Moreover, the Governor's action ignores the difficult circumstances our districts have faced in recent years from having to close so many days due to inclement weather, resulting in the need to extend the school year and add to the calendar. These concerns illustrate why decisions are best made by local communities with raising student achievement as the goal, rather than increasing tourism.
Montgomery County Public Schools released a statement that can be read here.
