“We have taken a lot of actions over the past five years, but I can’t think of another that has so much widespread, enthusiastic support across the state.” -Governor Hogan
OUR PLAN
Governor Larry Hogan is introducing the Universal School Start Act of 2020 requiring Maryland public schools to start after Labor Day, and ending the mass confusion of having Maryland’s counties each starting on different dates. This mass confusion was created by the General Assembly’s actions in 2019, when it cynically overturned the governor’s popular executive order requiring that school start after Labor Day.
The Universal School Start Act of 2020 directly repeals the General Assembly’s politically motivated 2019 legislation and codifies the governor’s 2016 executive order requiring that Maryland’s public schools begin after Labor Day, and complete the 180 days that are required under state law. Polling has consistently shown that the overwhelming majority of Marylanders want school to start after Labor Day.
This action puts the best interests of Marylanders first, especially the well-being of our students, their families, and their teachers. Marylanders overwhelmingly agree that this is long overdue and that it is simply the right thing to do.
School After Labor Day in Maryland: A Timeline
In 2013, following years of public pressure to return to a traditional school calendar, the Maryland General Assembly voted by an overwhelming 170-7 margin to pass legislation creating a state commission to study moving the school start date to after Labor Day, which was signed into law by former Governor Martin O’Malley.
This initiative had the strong support of Comptroller Peter Franchot, as well as legislative leaders including Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller. From 2013 to 2016, a total of five bills were introduced to require starting school after Labor Day—sponsored by dozens in both parties—which failed to pass, in large part due to political pressure.
In September 2016, after the General Assembly repeatedly failed to act, Governor Hogan signed an executive order to finally enact the recommendation of the legislative task force and the will of Marylanders and require school calendars to start classes after Labor Day beginning in the 2017-18 school year.
However, in 2019, the General Assembly again ignored the will of the people and passed legislation to turn back on the clock on this common sense action, creating the mass confusion of different counties starting school on different dates. Governor Hogan’s legislation repeals that irresponsible action and restores what the overwhelming majority of Marylanders want and have been demanding.
OUR BILLS
HB743/SB558: The Universal School Start Date Act of 2020
LATEST NEWS
Governor Hogan Introduces Common Sense Legislation to Return School Start to After Labor Day
Governor Hogan Vetoes Politically Motivated Legislation
Governor Larry Hogan Announces Common Sense Compromise Proposal for Citizen Input on Post-Labor Day School Start
Governor Hogan Statement on School After Labor Day
Governor Larry Hogan Signs Executive Order to Start School after Labor Day