PTLA members need to contact state representatives immediately and ask them to support Post Labor Day School Start legislation, House Bill 258. The PA House of Representatives may consider the bill in the coming days before adjourning for the summer recess.

This is the first time that Post Labor School Start legislation will be considered in either chamber of the PA General Assembly

On Monday, the House Tourism & Recreational & Development Committee approved the bill.

Opponents of the measure are contacting House members. We need to counter their efforts and let lawmakers know the importance and benefits of this legislation to Pennsylvania's families, high school students, the Commonwealth and the tourism industry.

The Legislative Alert (below) was emailed to PTLA members yesterday.

URGENT--- CALL TO ACTION:
CALL OR EMAIL REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT
POST LABOR DAY SCHOOL START LEGISLATION

BACKGROUND
Yesterday, the House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee approved 25-4 House Bill 258, legislation that would require public school districts in the state to start classes after the Labor Day holiday. The House of Representatives may consider the bill on Thursday, June 27.

This is the first time that Post Labor School Start legislation will be considered in either chamber of the PA General Assembly.

There is no starting date in the PA Public School Code, so local school districts select the date. Currently, approximately 15% of school districts in the state already begin classes after Labor Day and have no trouble maintaining a high quality of education and ending the school year in early June.

HB 258 does not affect the 180-day education requirement and does not prevent school districts from having in-service days for teachers prior to Labor Day. Also, the bill does not apply to districts that are on a year-round education calendar.

Many seasonal employees in tourism businesses are high school students. In today’s tight labor market, these businesses are finding it more difficult to staff their operations because of the number of high school students who return to classes prior to Labor Day. When schools open prior to Labor, tourism businesses and the State lose millions of dollars.

ACTION REQUESTED
Our opponents, the PA School Boards Association, PA Association of School Superintendents and the PA Association of School Administrators, are lobbying against the bill. We must counter their efforts by initiating a statewide grassroots campaign.

Attached is a list of all state representatives with their email address and Harrisburg office telephone number.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL THEM DIRECTLY IMMEDIATELY!

MESSAGE
Ask your representative to support House Bill 258. Choose any of the following talking points when making your call or sending your email:

• A September school date is pro-family since August is the ideal time for families to experience and enjoy our State’s many recreational and commercial attractions.
  
  
• HB 258 would benefit high school students by allowing them to earn more money and experience life lessons and practical education learned from an extended summer employment.
  
  
• Mansfield University conducted a survey of PA adults in the March 2006. 47% of respondents said they favor Post Labor Day school start legislation, while only 26% said they oppose.
  
  
• According to a study released by the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee (LB&FC), $378 million would be added to PA’s economy if schools began after Labor Day.
  
  
• Each vacation day added to the school calendar costs parents an additional $4.6 million in child care expenses, according to the LB&FC report.
  
  
• The Commonwealth losses $17.7 million in state tax revenue as a result of schools opening before Labor Day, according to the LB&FC report.
  
  
• Several states, including Virginia, Michigan and Wisconsin, require school districts to start after Labor Day.
  

BOTTOM-LINE: HB 258 would benefit PA’s working families, high school students, the State, and tourism businesses. The education of PA students is still paramount and will not be compromised by this legislation.

PLEASE ACT NOW!