School start date debated

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - This year Norhtwest Allen County students went back to school August 13th. East Allen went back a week later, on August 20th. Fort Wayne returned on August 24th, and Southwest Allen on the 26th.

The group "Save Indiana Summers" wants those dates pushed back to the very end of August or early September.

Members of the group believe schools would save on utility costs and families would have more prime vacation time.

South Carolina, a state similar in size to Indiana, with a similar tourism budget, made the move.

"They estimated an additional $180 million were spent on tourism for the balance of the month of August," said Senator Dennis Kruse, District 14.

District 14 Senator Dennis Kruse says $9 million of that went back to the government. As a member of the Study Committee on Education, Kruse made two proposals.

One would keep schools from starting before the fourth week of August. The other would keep them from starting until the day after Labor Day.

"I dont know if there's a large enough consenus at this point to get it over the hump to actually get a recomendation from the study committee," said Kruse.

Southwest Allen County Parent Chris Wesner hopes there is. He sent a letter to SACS Superintendent Steve Yager.

In it he asks, "Why are we sending our children back to school in the middle of the summer?"

Kruse says there are enough days in the year to make this move happen without adding too many to the end of the year. He suggests cutting back on the Christmas and Spring Break vacations.

A spokesperson from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce says students shouldn't be spending less time in class. President Obama is also advocating a longer school day and year.

The Study Committee will look over all the proposals at its October 26th meeting.