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Thursday, March 3, 2005
A Hot Topic: When Should Summer Vacation End?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We have two reporters, Mary MacDonald and Jen Sansbury, covering today’s public hearing on a bill that would force school districts to start the school year no earlier than late August. This is clearly a hot issue. Hundreds are expected to attend.
Local school boards want the power to set their own calendars, but some parents say the earlier and earlier start dates (most metro districts started in early August this year) are interfering with family time.
I know we’ve talked about this before, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to throw it back out there. Do parents not buy the school district’s rationale for starting school in early August (so final exams can be given before winter break)?
(Friday’s update: Lacking support from Gov. Sonny Perdue, this bill appears dead, my colleagues say. The general sentiment among lawmakers: “Take it up with your local school board.”)
