January 31st, 2017 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland State Board of Education recently approved a waiver request that will allow schools in Garrett County to start before Labor Day for the 2017-18 year.

In January, board members voted 3-1 to approve a calendar for the 2017-18 school year with a start date of Aug. 28, pending approval of the state board of education.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order last summer requiring public schools to begin classes after Labor Day. The order left room for school districts to file for a waiver based on lost days due to weather conditions.

The board has demonstrated that Garrett County Public Schools met the requirements for the justification of emergency school closing. The county was eligible to request a waiver because it had closed 10 days per year during two of the last five years due to severe weather conditions.

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce previously indicated it wasn't in favor of a pre-Labor Day school start and that the business community wouldn't be in favor of it.  

The first day for students will be Aug. 28 and the last day will be May 29. There are 10 makeup days included in the calendar.

Allegany County also has applied for the pre-Labor Day start waiver.