by Mallory Carlson ‘19

Governor Larry Hogan sparked controversy throughout Maryland after his announcement in September that the “law of the land” concerning school start dates would be changing. Hogan ordered that all Maryland public schools move start dates after Labor Day, despite backlash from school administrators and the general public.

The Maryland Board of Education has even begun to make an effort so that school systems can seek waivers from the order.

The order, which is to take effect in fall of 2017, also states that although schools cannot start until after Labor Day, 180 days of instruction must be completed by June 15. Officials worry that this change will cause problems regarding the school calendar and may end up forcing administrators to whittle down spring break, winter break, or other previously approved days off. This year, MCPS schools started on August 29 and will end on June 16.

Governor Hogan argues that the change is beneficial for businesses, families, and the environment, but the president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, Michael Durso, said in a Washington Post article that it “ignores critical issues faced by schools and the potential negative instructional impact on students.”

Science teacher Glenn Miller, head building representative at Sherwood for the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), said MCEA has not formally discussed the issue or taken a firm stance but it is a hot topic, and most members believe that “local boards should be able to make calendar decisions.” Miller expects it will be discussed at the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) conference later this month.

As a teacher, Miller has concerns that a later start date means less instructional days prior to high stakes tests taken by students in the spring. “Teachers feel the need to have as much time as we can to prepare our students.”

Uncertainty remains as to the installation of the order. In a Washington Post article, Adam Snyder, a lawyer in the Maryland attorney general’s office, hinted the executive order may have been out of line. “I cannot say unequivocally that the Labor Day executive order exceeds the Governor’s authority,” Snyder said, “but I believe it likely that a reviewing court, if presented with the issue,