OC Mayor encourages Marylanders for a Longer Summer campaign
Marylanders for a Longer Summer have launched a new campaign urging residents to take a stand for a more extended summer break by emailing their state legislatures.
State Senator Jim Mathias is already in support of the measure. A 2013 study by the Maryland’s Bureau of Revenue Estimates found that a post-Labor Day school start could generate an additional $74.3 million in direct economy activity.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan is also in support of the campaign and is encouraging folks to get involved. He says not only would it provide a big boost for a resort town like O.C., but it would give kids a few extra days to enjoy their summer.
Meehan goes on, “As an elected official, I know sometimes when we go to make a decision we really want to know what the public thinks. You know we don’t want to know later ‘well we should have.’ We like to hear in advance what the public thinks. We really think in this case the majority of Maryland favors a post- Labor Day school start date.”
In the 2014- 2015 school year, Worcester County Public Schools proved this change could be done successfully. They started classes the Tuesday after Labor Day, completed 180 days, and still finished by June 16th.
