Delaware bill looks to push start date back for all schools after Labor Day

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Delawareans are reacting to a bill circulating throughout the General Assembly that’s aiming to put schools all on the same page when it comes to starting up their school year after Labor Day.

“I think they should. I never understood why it wasn’t a thing to begin with,” said resident Jamie Sapp.

To help decide if this is the right move to make, state legislators created a school start task force to determine how practical the change would be. Their study found starting post-Labor Day could have substantial economic benefits to many Delawareans and businesses across the first state.

“It’s critical actually. It would be wonderful both for landlords who want to rent out their place, for hotels, for the pizzerias, for all the business owners in town,” said resident Suzanne Goode.

On top of the potential added revenue, businesses tell 47 ABC it’d be a win-win for themselves and their employees who’d be able to work a couple of extra weeks before heading back to school.

“Not everyone wants to work on top of school, especially if you’re a full-time student,” said Dolle’s Candyland employee Nick Ragni.

“I remember I used to work down here and then have to go back to school and then drive back down here for the weekend and then be stuck in traffic. So yeah, it’s just better if you’re down here and it starts afterward,” said Sapp.

But it’s a change that not everyone is totally on board with. Many residents taking to social media voicing their concerns saying, “Let each district or county decide their own start dates! There would be no benefit for New Castle County to start after Labor Day.”And that it, “Makes it very difficult to find childcare for the last week in August. Are the legislators going to require summer camps to stay open longer?” Despite this, many insist this move would make things a little easier.

“I think it’s an excellent idea. It keeps everything cohesive. I think when it starts a little earlier in the year it messes up the vacation thing,” said resident Ann Kinard.

The sponsors of this bill also cite reports from Maryland and Virginia showing a similar change would lead to more revenue, specifically from hospitality and travel. This bill was recently voted out of committee and is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. If passed, the law would go into effect for the 2020- 2021 school year.