POLL: Should the First Day Back to School be After Labor Day?

In April of this year, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot sent out a media release,  “Line in the Sand, Let Summer Mean Summer,” urging school systems in the state to begin school the day after Labor Day. Franchot’s argument is that the early start in some jurisdictions kills business on the Eastern Shore and at Maryland beach destinations. Adding that schools won’t sacrifice much, especially after the state has been ranked number one for several years running, Franchot said:

I am confident they can adjust the school calendar in order to provide for a start after Labor Day. And the best part is that doing this doesn’t cost anything…it will actually generate more than $4 million in additional revenue for our state and local governments.

On the other hand, each school district in the nation has to pack in 180 school days by federal law (No Child Left Behind).  When accounting for days off for professional development (yup, teachers keep learning too), holidays, spring and winter break, half-days for high school finals and primary school parent-teacher conferences, it is difficult for school systems to get the requisite days in by the end of June if they begin school after Labor Day.

Where do you stand? Do you think school should start the day after the first Monday in September?