Baltimore City Wire

Gov. Lary Hogan issued an executive order in 2016 directing schools to delay the start of the school year until after Labor Day and to end before June 15. Hogan had said he made the order in the hopes of protecting the traditional end of summer.

The order went into effect the beginning of the 2017 school year. When Hogan issued the order, school officials were in an uproar, as they had consistently opposed the idea.

Democrats in the legislature were also opposed to the idea, with Sen. President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller questioning the legality. Hogan dismissed that claim and stated that he had sought legal counsel before issuing the order.

Hogan believed that the long summer break would give families more time to vacation and be together, while also generating revenue for the tourism industry, as well as keeping students out of hot classrooms when air conditioning is lacking, according to The Baltimore Sun.

A poll by Goucher College in 2015 found that 72 percent of residents across the state would support a statewide requirement for schools to begin after Labor Day. They agreed it would be better for families.

Until the mid-1990s, schools began the first Monday in September. The start of the school year then began to start earlier and earlier into August throughout the years, with school officials attempting to work with the 180-day instructional year.

Hogan noted in the order that if needed, districts could submit for a waiver that would allow some of these days before Labor Day or after the June 15 cut off if they could provide justification.

Those who disagreed with the order argued that the later start date would harm vulnerable students who looked forward to the school year. Those who disagreed will likely fight the order during the Maryland Assembly. Others argue the change will harm students and teachers.