Education Committee advances bill to preserve full summer break, cuts minimum days and in‑service requirements

The Education Committee advanced Senate File 72, the Summer Vacation Preservation Act, which would require regular school years to commence after Labor Day and recess no later than Memorial Day, lower the statutory minimum school days from 175 to 165 and reduce required teacher in‑service days from 10 to 5. Senator Brennan, sponsor of the bill, told the committee it is intended "to give teachers and students a full summer break." The committee voted to pass the bill, 6‑2, with one member excused.

Supporters said the change would give districts calendar flexibility and benefit tourism and small businesses by aligning the school summer break with the peak hiring season. "This is really a small business and tourism bill too, as well as just something that is gonna be healthy for the mental well‑being of our students, teachers, and parents,"…