WASHINGTON — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is pushing public schools in the state to start after the Labor Day holiday and is issuing an executive order mandating the later start date.
Hogan made the announcement in Ocean City along with Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot, who has long argued for the change.
The order, which goes into effect next school year, will also require schools to end their school years by June 15.
Hogan and Franchot said the change gives families more time to enjoy summer vacations in August and would be an economic boon to the state.
Traditionally, school boards in the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore have controlled their own calendars.
Supporters — including former Ocean City Mayor Jim Mathia — say having school systems start classes after Labor Day will add millions of dollars to the state’s economy. Mathias, who is currently a state senator, has pushed legislation for a post-Labor Day start date.
Opponents, like Maryland State Sen. Paul Pinsky — who leads a state education committee — oppose mandates that would change the start date.
Hogan and Franchot made the announcement in Ocean City, which is located in Worcester County — the only Maryland county where school starts after Labor Day.
Stay with WTOP for more on this developing story.
WTOP’s Jack Moore contributed to this report.
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