Local politicians and school administrators are facing tough questions about how to make the school calendar work for both students and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
Hogan issued an executive order on Aug. 31 that schools must start after Labor Day and be finished by June 15 for the 2017-18 school year.
Middletown High School Principal Lee Jeffrey said, “I was surprised by the decision, but I knew there was a task force created by the Maryland State Board of Education.”
Jeffrey also said, “When the announcement was made, it included a positive financial outcome.” However, she is more interested in researching the study that was completed and how the decision will affect all students.
One concern is that students will not be able to recall information that they learned throughout the previous year if the summer is extended.
There is also the issue of testing. If Frederick County ends up having a plethora of snow days, it is going to make those days hard to make up for testing. Testing seems to be the most challenging aspect since the students will lose educational days before having to take those tests.
Hogan announced the decision in Ocean City, Maryland. The location of the press conference was significant because the goal of starting school after Labor Day is to bring more revenue to Ocean City by adding additional time for people to vacation.
Many Marylanders believe that having a longer summer will be beneficial by bringing in more revenue and that the students will be pleased overall.
However, the order comes with opposition and support from both political parties, with the issue of how it affects student academics at the heart of the argument. Many people also feel that the task force’s decision was reached without significant input from school officials and teachers.
Under the order, schools will still be required to be open to students for 180 days, but some have proposed an alternative that would measure required time by hours rather than days.
Many people have questioned how this will affect the school calendar and days off for students and faculty. Currently, the school calendar includes days off such as two Jewish holidays, Fair Day, a week-long spring break and seven built-in snow days.
The executive order will especially affect state testing and sports schedules for not only fall but winter and spring, as well. Because of this, once one event is pushed back, the other seasons will need to be rescheduled, as well.
Teachers are currently required to work 190 days. With regard to the teacher work days, Frederick County Board of Education member Brad Young said, “It should not affect teacher work days because they are contractual.”
It appears that counties will be able to apply for a waiver that would allow them to extend beyond the parameters that Hogan set up. It is still unclear exactly what would be required for waivers to be granted.
Members of the community have reacted to the order by writing to a local newspaper, expressing concern that that Hogan may have overreached, taking the power from local governments.
