Bill Text: DE SCR22 | 2013-2014 | 147th General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Creating A Task Force To Study The Advisability Of Starting Each School Year After Labor Day.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 19-3)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2013-06-27 - Passed in House by Voice Vote [SCR22 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2013-SCR22-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Hocker & Rep. Schwartzkopf |
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Sens. Bonini, Cloutier, Lavelle, Lawson, Lopez, Pettyjohn, Simpson; Rep. Briggs King, Dukes, Gray, Kenton, Longhurst, Outten, Paradee, Peterman, Ramone, D. Short, Smyk, Wilson |
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DELAWARE STATE SENATE 147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22 |
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CREATING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE ADVISABILITY OF STARTING EACH SCHOOL YEAR AFTER LABOR DAY. |
WHEREAS, Delaware boasts nationally renowned vacation destinations like Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach; and
WHEREAS, The Delaware tourism industry is the 3rd largest private employer in the state, employing 39,300 people; and
WHEREAS, 7.2 million visitors came to Delaware in 2011 generating $437 million in state and local government taxes and fees; and
WHEREAS, During these tough economic times especially, we need to be doing all that we can to support the tourism sector and find ways to foster even more growth; and
WHEREAS, Cutting summer short has a negative impact on small businesses that rely on the tourist trade; and
WHEREAS, Without tourism in Delaware, each Delaware household would pay $1309 more in taxes to maintain current levels of state and local taxes; and
WHEREAS, Our neighboring state of Maryland has passed legislation to create a task force to study a post-Labor Day start date for Maryland Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, The Maryland Comptroller claims that a post-Labor Day start date would generate $4 million in additional revenue for state and local governments at no cost; and
WHEREAS, Other states that have adopted this policy, including Virginia, have documented the benefits to their state and local economies; and
WHEREAS, The chance for families to spend precious time together and to build lifelong memories during that final, end-of-summer vacation has been lost by the decision to begin school before Labor Day; and
WHEREAS, There should be a solution to keep the mandated number of days while providing considerable economic benefit to the state.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 147th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House concurring therein, that a Task Force be created to study the advisability of starting each school year after Labor Day.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall consist of the following members:
(1) two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate;
(2) two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(3) the Secretary of the Department of Education or the Secretary's designee; and
(4) the following members, to be appointed by the Governor one of whom shall be designated as the Chair of the Task Force:
(i) four representatives of local school districts in the State one each from Wilmington, New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County; two of whom shall be teachers;
(ii) one representative of the Delaware Charter Schools Network;
(iii) one representative of the Delaware State Education Association;
(iv) four representatives of businesses impacted by summer tourism;
(v) one representative of the Delaware Tourism Office;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education shall provide staff for the Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force study shall focus on the following areas:
(1) the education system, including the academic calendar, planning, administration, and facilities use;
(2) the economy; and
(3) summer tourism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on or before January 14, 2014, the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor.
SYNOPSIS
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This Concurrent Resolution creates a Task Force to study the advisability of starting each school year after Labor Day. |
AUTHOR:Sen. Hocker
