Supporters of legislation to push back the opening date for many Kentucky school districts are pointing to a study claiming the early return to school costs the state millions of dollars.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reportsthe travel industry commissioned the study to support a bill to prevent districts from starting classes before late August. Many districts resume school in early August, cutting nearly of month of potential business for the travel industry.
The study says the state lost $432 million in lost tourism-related business between July and August 2014.
Sen. Chris Girdler of Somerset is sponsoring the bill, which would set the opening date for schools no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26.
Some groups are opposed to the legislation. Kentucky Education Association spokesman Charles Main says the bill would take away the flexibility for school districts to set their own dates for starting school.
