News and Press Releases for April 2006

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04/12/2006

Governor Signs School Start Date Bill

New Law Will Move Back School Start Date Window, Extend Summer Family Time and Tourism Season

Columbia, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford today announced he has signed H.4429, a bill that will move back the school start date window to no earlier than the third Monday in August. Sponsored by Rep. Ronnie Townsend of Anderson, the bill is aimed at both lengthening the time families can spend together during summer vacation and increasing revenues for the state's tourism industry.

"Whether it's from a quality of life standpoint in making sure families can spend a little more time together each summer or from a purely dollars and cents standpoint, this bill is a win for South Carolina," Gov. Sanford said. "Since this bill allows districts to be exempted in certain cases, I think it also strikes a good balance between giving local schools flexibility while giving a whole lot of parents and people in our state's number one industry what they've wanted for years."

Since 1994, the average school start date has shifted from August 20 to August 11, with some districts beginning as early as August 5 this year. Under the new law, school districts that can prove that they have a justifiable reason to start earlier may request an exemption from the State Board of Education. Those reasons include having to close for several days due to inclement weather or having specific education programs that require an earlier start date. Year-round schools are not affected by the change, which will become effective during the 2007-08 school year.

Gov. Sanford also said he plans to sign the bill ceremonially in Myrtle Beach next Monday (April 17, 2006).