In the Baltimore region, almost all schools have already started and kids are getting back in the learning groove. But next year, this will instead be their last week of summer, according to a new executive order from Gov. Larry Hogan, which mandates all Maryland public schools start after Labor Day and end before June 15.
As it stands, local districts currently make their own calendars, and most educators—like the state association of school boards and teachers unions—want to keep that local control. Businesses and tourism, however, are on board with extending the summer because, as the thinking goes, it will help local economies.
This has been attempted in Maryland before. The past two years have seen post-Labor Day school start date bills die in the state assembly. With this order, school systems are trying to figure out how to ensure their calendar fills the requisite 180 days, so some holidays may be cut or shortened.
