DETROIT – An old debate has come to life again, as legislators are examining when students should start the school year.
It's better for tourism in Michigan if children return to school after Labor Day, but experts said it's better for students to get back to school earlier.
A new bill introduced by state Sen. Marty Knollenberg could put control of start dates back into the hands of local communities. The bill would eliminate the post-Labor Day mandate in Michigan.
"A lot of school activities are already starting in August," Knollenberg said. "You have band camp. You have cheerleading. You have soccer, football -- all these things going on, and we need to allow school districts to decide what is best for them."
The Michigan tourism industry pushed for the later start to give families more opportunity to spend vacation dollars. Many families like it that way.
"We treat Labor Day as a holiday," James Pitchford said. "We barbecue and all that. Let them start after Labor Day, like it is."
The Knollenberg bill offers a compromise: the freedom for schools or districts to start in August with Mondays and Fridays off until after Labor Day.
"It helps the tourism industry have their four-day weekend and, at the same time, it allows local control, and school districts to start before Labor Day," Knollenberg said.
Some educators agree young brains can get stale with too long a break. There is room for compromise.
"Often in the summer, students kind of slide back," said Oakland Schools superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson. "So we would like to start a little earlier, particularly because the curriculum is so crowded."
Knollenberg said he would like to see the change implemented for the upcoming school year. For now, the proposed bill is in the debate stage.
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