Reply to 2017-2018 calendar-What is the first day of school?

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Reply to "2017-2018 calendar-What is the first day of school?"

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[quote=Anonymous]Okay. Again, bear with me I'm typing on my phone.

As you all know, last year the governor issued an EO declaring the school year would be from Labor Day- June 15.

There are a number of issues with this on principle. For instance, reduced time to prepare for tests in May, loss of learning over a lengthy summer, lack of childcare, hardship on FARMS kids who depend on school meals, etc etc. ultimately I don't personally care too much one way or another, but every school district has its own socioeconomic needs, weather, etc so I think this is an issue that local districts should be able to decide themselves.

But. The other issue at play here is that a school year from Labor Day-June 15 doesn't mathematically work, at least without eliminating spring break and praying for no snow. There aren't 180 school days as required by federal law. Teachers in MD are contractually honored a certain negotiated number of holidays and professional days. Also schools now close for Jewish holidays and a full week at spring break.

So because of the above, MCPS applied for a waiver. Governor Hogan responded by issuing another EO making it basically impossible to be eligible for a waiver.

MCPS and other counties decided to just acquiesce and submit a compliant school calendar that eliminates spring break (shorter and days are held as makeup snow days). But here is the thing: that only works next year because Yom Kippur is on a Saturday, Labor Day is the 4th (can be as late as the 7th). And of course, what happens if we have another Snowmageddon? 
So basically, eventually they will have to take away more holidays or teacher work days (which means taking on the teachers union).

There are only two ways counties can change this:
-the maryland state legislature acts, and overrides the EO
-a county sues the governor

It doesn't seem like the legislature is taking this on this year. So the counties are put in the situation where they basically have to sue the governor to have control over their own calendars.

My speculation is that they are letting PGCPS lead this fight as the county with the highest FARMS percentage that stands to lose the most. So PgGCPS has decided to submit an illegal calendar and basically say to hogan, take us to court if you don't like it. They are banking on the courts siding with them. If they win, the school year starts 8/22. If they lose, after Labor Day (but uncertainty over other aspects of the calendar).

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