Lawmakers debating shorter schoolyear

JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers are considering whether school districts should be banned from starting the academic year before Sept. 1.

That proposed mandate passed the House 65-54 on Monday, but the bill containing the provision was held for the possibility of more debate.

House Tourism Committee Chairwoman Diane Peranich of Pass Christian says coastal attractions have lost business because many districts start school in early August.

The state requires 180 days of instruction and seven days of staff development each academic year.

House Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown of Jackson says the School Boards Association and the Superintendents Association oppose a mandated later starting date.

2 Responses to “Lawmakers debating shorter schoolyear”

1. Sade Turnipseed Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 4:20 pm

   Are we seriously considering “loss of business to coastal attractions” over the loss of education to students, who are already suffering in the “worst educational system in the nation.” I hope and pray Mississippi’s State legislators will show moral strength and courage in leadership for our children’s sake…they need more school days, not less!

2. Louis Skrmetta Says:
   February 11th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

   Three quarters of the country begins school at the end of August or after Labor Day. Don’t tell me our education system will suffer if we adjust our 180 day school year back to the a traditional late August to early June schedule. Creating tourism dollars STATE WIDE through extra summer weeks will generate needed tax revenue for our schools at a time when the State is slashing funding for education.