Bismarck Mandan Students Could Use A Little More Summertime

I'm sorry, but students in Bismarck-Mandan start school way too early.

The first day of public school this year in both Bismarck and Mandan was Tuesday, August 19th. As usual, almost on cue, students were greeted with 90-degree weather for most of the week.

Even this week, we are looking at arguably some of the nicest weather of the entire summer. Virtually no chances of rain and temperatures right around 80 degrees. Even the wind looks to be tranquil for a good share of this week.

Summer is way too short in North Dakota.

Kids grow up way too fast as it is. Starting school in mid-August takes away potential family vacation times. It shortens the ability for teenagers to hang on to their day jobs and make extra money.

I no longer have a dog in this fight. My son is about to start his senior year at the University of Mary (they don't start school until after Labor Day), but I think it only makes sense to start school in North Dakota closer to Labor Day.

Let's face it, some of our warmest weather in North Dakota just about every year is in mid-August.

Wouldn't it make sense to start school, say on the Thursday before Labor Day each year? That would be August 28th this year.

That way, the kids get a couple of days of school in before the long holiday weekend, before they go back to school the first week of September.

Even better would be starting after Labor Day, but I think this would be a good compromise.

Now, before the opposition starts saying this means the school year will have to go until after Memorial Day, I don't believe it has to. As a parent who has had a kid go through the North Dakota public school system, there are a lot of filler days.

Days to be honest, that could be put to better use. No knock on any teacher's curriculum, just an observation.

I know there has even been legislation introduced over the years to mandate the start of school in North Dakota after Labor Day.

For the sake of families and in the interest of kids all across the state, I say this should happen. At least closer to Labor Day. Who's with me?