REPEAL INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR REQUIREMENTS

House Bills 4368 and 4369 (H-2) as referred to second committee

Sponsor:  Rep. Pamela Hornberger

1st Committee:  Education

2nd Committee:  Ways and Means

Complete to 7-25-19

BRIEF SUMMARY:  House Bills 4368 and 4369 would together repeal two sections of the State School Aid Act and the Revised School Code regarding the school calendar and Labor Day waivers.

FISCAL IMPACT:  The bills would have no fiscal impact on the state, but there could be an indeterminate, but likely minimal, impact for districts, intermediate school districts (ISDs), and public school academies (PSAs). Districts, ISDs, and PSAs that submit a waiver to MDE to begin before Labor Day and hold a hearing would realize reduced administrative costs by removing those requirements.

THE CONTENT OF THE BILLS:

House Bills 4368 and 4369 would together repeal two sections of the State School Aid Act and the Revised School Code regarding the school calendar and Labor Day waivers.

Currently, section 1284b of the Revised School Code prohibits the instructional calendar year from beginning before Labor Day (unless the district is granted a waiver for a qualifying reason by the state superintendent of public instruction).

House Bill 4369 would repeal section 1284b, effectively removing the prohibition on beginning the instructional calendar before Labor Day. Additionally, it would remove the provision that the common school calendar requirement does not apply to a district or ISD until an existing collective bargaining agreement expires

Section 160 of the State School Aid Act requires a district or ISD requesting a Labor Day waiver to use a portion of its funding under the act to conduct a joint public hearing with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).  That hearing must be held before a waiver can be granted. 

House Bill 4368 would repeal that requirement.

House Bill 4368: MCL 388.1760 (repealed)

House Bill 4369: MCL 380.1284b (repealed) and MCL 380.1284a

ARGUMENTS:

For:

Proponents argued that removing the post–Labor Day start requirement would ensure that school districts would have the flexibility to set the start date that works best for them. Too often, they argued, Lansing institutes top-down dictates that ignore the unique needs of communities. Instead of delaying the start of classes out of deference to the tourism industry, the needs of the students should take precedence. 

Against:

Opponents noted that one district’s start date could affect other districts when they share resources such as transportation, after-school programs, and learning intervention professionals. Similarly, school teams compete against each other, so that if one school moves its start day up, thereby moving up team and club start dates, other schools may feel compelled to adjust their own schedules to stay competitive. 

Others argued that eliminating the post–Labor Day start requirement would make it more difficult for farming families to make the most of help during the summer. Additionally, allowing schools to start before Labor Day would make it harder for families to plan summer trips and for teenagers to hold summer jobs.

POSITIONS:

Representatives of the following organizations testified in support of the bills (4-9-19):

            Great Lakes Education Project

            Michigan Association of School Boards

A representative of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators testified in support of HB 4368. (4-9-19)

The following entities indicated support for the bills (4-9-19):

            Michigan Department of Education

            West Michigan Talent Triangle

            Grand Rapids Public Schools

            Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals

            Michigan Freedom Fun

            Oakland Schools

            Michigan Association of Public School Academies

Representatives of the following organizations testified in opposition to HB 4369 (4-9-19):

            Michigan Boating Industries Association

            Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association

The following organizations indicated opposition to the bills (4-9-19):

            Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau

            The Grand Hotel

The following organizations indicated opposition to HB 4369 (4-9-19):

            Michigan Retailers Association

            Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association

            Sault Ste Marie CVB

            Livingston County CVB

            Manistee County CVB

            Michigan Association of RVs and Campgrounds

                        Muskegon County CVB

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Samuel Christensen

                                                                                                                           Jacqueline Mullen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.