Cobb County

Thousands sign petition protesting school start date

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Thousands of Cobb County parents are protesting this year's early first day of school, which is just two weeks away.

The school year begins July 31, but parents are saying that it cuts summer too short.

Channel 2’s Ross Cavitt was in Kennesaw where some parents say starting school so soon might hurt their kids’ education.

Kindergartner Josie is excited about starting school in a couple of weeks, but her mother is not quite as excited about the starting date.

“July 31 is a little too early,” Josie's mom told Cavitt.

More than 11,000 people have signed an online petition protesting Cobb’s school calendar, which starts the so-called fall semester on July 31.

The petition’s author said the date crosses a symbolic line that threatens the traditional summer vacation.

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The petition asks the board to take away the extra week breaks in September and/or in February, or perhaps to add a few days in May to balance out the summer.

WSB-TV's survey of parents found mixed views on the mid-semester breaks, but agree that July 31 is too soon.

“When I was in school, it was like late August when we went back, to it’s a little early,” one father said.

Another mom told Cavitt, “summer is too short. It is very hot as far as working and coordinating and planning vacation time, so when the kids can go it’s kinda juggling it.”

“It’s just really hot and it’s still summer, I mean growing up, I considered June, July, August as summer so it just seems really early, yeah,” Josie's mom said.

The school board approved this calendar two years ago, so two weeks is likely too late to change anything.

A spokesperson said the July 31 date was simply old school math. With the breaks, adding up the days needed to make the minimum led them to the date.

“I would rather it be a little later so we can have a little more summer, but if not we can live with it,” yet another parent told Cavitt.

Cox Media Group

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