Readers Sound Off in Favor of Post-Labor Day Start of School

Last week, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot advocated for a post-Labor Day start to the school year. 

At an event in Ocean City, Franchot released a report claiming a post-Labor Day start date for schools across the state could have $74.3 million in direct economic impact each year.

Students return to school in Anne Arundel County starting Monday, Aug. 26.

When the question of starting school later in the year was presented to Severna Park Patch readers, there was an overwhelming response in favor of the change. 

Many argued that's when the start of school used to be, and questioned why they changed it. A few readers said that while they agreed the start of school should be pushed back, they didn't agree with Franchot's reasoning. 

Here's a roundup of what some of your neighbors had to say on the issue:

Janis Walters Dike: I'm all for it! As long as they don't have to go any later in June. As an educator, I can tell you that kids "check out" after Memorial Day!

Amy Badger Laque: School should absolutely start after Labor Day. Everyone vacations until then, anyway. There is no point going to school the first week, then being off for the holiday, then going back. When summer is over, school resumes...stopping and starting doesn't create a proper learning environment.

Rita Pumphrey: That's the way it used to be when I went to school, makes sense!!!

Sharon McWilliams: Should be - school starts too soon to have a day off the first week.

Lisa Richie-Wilson: Definitely an excellent decision. The state alone is nothing but inconvenienced as well as children's vacations and parents daycare scheduling due to this early starting of school.

Greg Pringle: Not that I don't agree but should we be monetizing our kids?