No recommendation on school start dates

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- - A legislative study committee that considered pushing back school start dates has decided to return the issue to the General Assembly without making any recommendations to lawmakers.

The Interim Study Committee on Education voted 10-1 Monday to ask lawmakers to continue reviewing the issue of setting a uniform school start date when they reconvene in January.

The panel also voted 10-1 to ask the Legislative Services Agency to compile a report by year's end on statewide school energy consumption and transportation costs for use in future debate of the school start date issue. Monday was the panel's last meeting.

Committee Chairman Republican Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn says the testimony the panel heard this fall revealed strong opinions on the school start date issue.