By Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON – (WMAL) The Montgomery County Board of Education may take Gov. Larry Hogan to court over a new requirement to his executive order for schools to start after Labor Day. The original executive order said any school system could apply for a waiver to start before the holiday if it had a “compelling justification.” The amendment will only allow charter schools and low performing ones to get waivers.
The narrower definition of a “compelling justification” came a day after the Montgomery County board voted to set Aug. 29 as the first day of school. The board was counting on getting a waiver to make that possible.
“As I viewed or read the new executive order, I assumed it was in direct response to our action,” said board vice chair Patricia O’Neill.
The Attorney General issued an opinion that said it was unclear whether the governor has the authority to mandate schools start after Labor Day with very few exceptions.
“The board will have to get advice from our attorneys and see what we’re going to do next,” O’Neill said.
She said challenging the executive order in court is an option, but the board hasn’t discussed that yet.
The board meets again Oct. 24.
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