January 26, 2010 -- Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation releases a study titled:"An Introductory Study of Later School Start Dates in Mississippi". The study included the findings of a January 2010 public opinion poll by The Bradley  Research Group that showed 76.3 percent of those surveyed supported moving the start date closer to Labor Day.  The study also estimated moving the start date to the fourth Monday in August would create an additional $153 million in new economic output.  Moving start dates back would generate more than $100 million in new tourism spending, $40 million in new wages and over 1,500 jobs. 
To read the full report click here

January 21, 2010 -- Tina Bruno, executive director of the national group The Coalition for a Traditional School Calendar, was invited by Representative Kelvin Buck (Holly Springs) to an informal meeting of the House Education Committee.  Bruno answered questions members had about school start date legislation in other states and its impact on education and local and state economies.  Joining Ms. Bruno was Scott King, director of research and policy, Gulf Coast Business Council.  Mr. King shared findings from the study his organization did relating to school start dates, public opinion, economic impact and impact on education. 
To read the full report click here

January 4, 2010 --  Rep. Diane Peranich filed House Bill No. 562 relating setting a school start date no earlier than the fourth Monday in August.  The bill was referred to the House Education Committee and is currently under consideration. 
Click here to see the actual bill as filed.

Click here to learn which states already have uniform school start date legislation in effect.