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For Immediate Release
March 14, 2001

For More Information:
Tina Bruno @ 210-771-6878

Senate Education Committee Passes
School Start Date Bill

San Antonio - Texans for a Traditional School Year today praised and thanked the Senate Education Committee for quickly passing Senate Bill 108.  SB 108 prohibits school districts from starting school earlier than the week in which August 21 falls.

 “This bill gives school districts a lot of flexibility while addressing the concerns of parents and teachers,” said  Lucio, the bill author.  “This bill has been changed many times during the last few months to reflect compromises stemming from the input I have sought.” 

According to testimony, the early-August school start date creates headaches, heartaches and hardships for Texas teachers, students and families.  While creating ozone related problems and a decline in revenue for the state. 

“This is an exciting day for parents, teachers and students across the state,” said Tina Bruno, executive director of Texans for a Traditional School Year. “With all the discussion about the need for teachers to receive advanced training in specialized areas, it is more important today than ever to ensure teachers have a full summer to pursue advanced degrees.

Also signing witness cards of support for Senate Bill 108, in addition to Texans for a Traditional School Year, were the Texas State Teachers Association, the Weslaco Federation of Teachers, Rio Grande Labor Council and the Greater Houston Partnership. 

A spokesman from the Texas Federation of Teachers spoke on the bill saying they were not for or against it, but reported a recent survey by his group reveled 68 percent of their members surveyed agreed school districts should be prohibited from starting classes prior to September 1.

For more information on the negative impact of the early-August school start date on teachers, families and students, contact Texans for a Traditional School Year toll-free at 877-531-9011.