In recent years, many Indiana schools have kept moving the starting dates for the new school year earlier and earlier and earlier.  We need to restore the first weeks of August to Hoosier families and children.

There are many wholesome and affordable options for outdoor exercise and recreation in Indiana in August including pools, beaches, lakes, canoe liveries, camps, greenways, playgrounds, gardening, sports programs, and the Indiana State Parks.  The so-called balanced calendars result in vacations during times with lousy weather.

The first weeks of August in Indiana are statistically some of the hottest of the year.  Cooling occupied school buildings during predictably hot weather squanders tax dollars on energy expenses and puts unnecessary wear and tear on HVAC systems.  There is also increased risk of heat stroke for kids that walk home from school, ride on school buses that usually do not have air conditioning, or attend after-school sports practices.

A summer job may be one of the finest opportunities for young people to learn responsibility, time management, and personal finance.  Jobs may not be available to students that must be in school for the entire month of August.

Early starts to school hurts tourism and other summer businesses and organizations which depresses tax revenues and costs us jobs.

Attendance at the 2016 Indiana State Fair was a record low for this century, falling from 907,342 in 2015 to 731,543 in 2016, a drop of 175,799.  Weather was a factor, but the drop here was much, much more severe than in state fairs in nearby states that also had unfavorable weather.  The difference was that most of their kids were still on summer vacation.  Furthermore, 4H and FFA kids and should not have to choose between exhibiting at the fair and attending the first weeks of school.

High-stakes standardized tests are often identified as a major factor driving the earlier and earlier starts to school.  A moratorium on starting before the end of the Indiana State Fair would help level the playing field for all school corporations.

I do not want to see my daughters and children from across Indiana deprived of the fun, educational, and wholesome summer activities I had when I was growing up.

Please support a moratorium on starting school before the conclusion of the Indiana State Fair.  (It runs 17 days including three weekends with August 1~17 being the earliest dates and August 7 to 23 being the latest scheduled dates.)