WASHINGTON – Many people in Virginia want to do away with the so-called Kings Dominion law, which requires most schools to start after Labor Day.
But in Maryland, it’s a different story.
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot wants the state to make all free public school systems wait until after Labor Day to start classes.
He said the extra vacation time and trips to Ocean City or Baltimore’s Inner Harbor could generate millions more for the state and local governments. A typical Ocean City week in August can generate about $5 million in revenue.
It would also give a boost to tourism, Maryland’s fourth largest industry. Maryland played host to over 32 million domestic travelers last year. Many small businesses in the state thrive on tourist dollars.
“The chance for families to spend precious time together and to build those lifelong memories during that final, end-of-summer vacation has been lost by the decision to begin school a week, or even ten days, before Labor Day,” Franchot said.
Franchot said it wouldn’t cost anything or cut into class time, because school systems could just get rid of vacation days built into the calendar now.
WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report.
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