A bill has been introduced that would require all Indiana public schools to start after Labor Day.
Similar bills have failed in the past, but State Senator Mike Delph, R-Carmel, said he is confident he will have more success this time around.
"It's absolutely absurd that we have kids going to school in the first week (of August) when they should be out at the pool having fun," said Sen. Delph.
Delph said classrooms are too hot in early August. It is one of several reasons why he is, again, proposing that Indiana schools start after Labor Day.
Supporters of this legislation have also said the cost to cool school buildings in August is too costly.
"I think pushing it back wouldn't hurt anything," said parent Darlene Eberhardt.
Next school year that could mean kids would not be back in their classroom until some after Sept. 3. The bill language, however, explains it would not be effective until the 2014-2015 calendar year.
"Moving it back that far with some of the snow days they could end up going well into the summer," said Erik barker, another parent.
The bill also sets an end of June 10, but not everyone is convinced that is a reality because of the winter months.
Delph also wants to get rid of the 180-day school year requirement for certain school corporations.
"If you're a high performing school or an 'A' rated school, we'll give you more flexibility."
In other words, the school corporations could shorten or lengthen the school day and even limit school to four days a week.
"If the schools are performig well under the current configuration why would we change that? Maybe we should look at schools that are not performing and give them more flexibilty in hours and days to see if that helps them," said Nate Schnellenberger, the Indiana State Teachers Association President.
Schnellenberger said they are not behind the proposed changes to the school calendar that he believes should be controlled at the local level.
"We believe each local school corporation can choose what's best for them, their students, and their parents," he said.
There are two other components of Senator Delph's bill. He wants to require cursive writing in classes in all public and private schools as well as restore single-class basketball.
The bill will be discussed next Wednesday. A copy of it is available online.
