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Hospitality Leaders Say Students Are Being Robbed By Pre-Labor Day School Start

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When Michigan schools opt to waive state law and start school before Labor Day they are not just hurting tourism, they are “robbing students of opportunities to gain valuable work experience,” in the hospitality industry. That’s the argument of CHECK IN MICHIGAN, the group formerly known as the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association.

The organization stepped out in the days after every school in the state was back in action last week and argued that yet another record number of schools started before Labor Day this week by utilizing the state’s waiver system and starting before the state law’s mandate. Michigan has a Post Labor Day School start law, but individual schools and districts can employ a waiver to begin earlier.

CHECK IN MICHIGAN says it’s hurting their business and the kids they want to employ.

Deanna Richeson is President & CEO of CHECK IN MICHIGAN. She says, “Education advocates point out the importance of a strong education system and we agree,” however, she adds, “That education doesn’t all take place in the classroom. Lodging and hospitality offer excellent career opportunities as well as a chance for young people’s first jobs and the ability to learn soft skills.”

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Michigan’s post Labor Day school start law was passed as part of a job creation package. The law, which took effect for the 2006-2007 school year, had a substantial positive impact for the tourism industry. A report issued by the Anderson Economic Group found in the first two years, hotel revenue increased by over $20 million. Tourism helped lead the resurgence of Michigan’s economy.

Richeson contends, “That first summer job is a rite of passage for teens.” She notes, “A shortened summer makes it more difficult for tourism businesses to rely on teen help and cuts the time young people build skills and develop traits that are unique to the workplace.”

Richeson shares a report issued by US Travel Association which revealed nearly one-quarter (22-percent) of all Americans’ first jobs were in the travel and tourism industry. Americans whose first job was in a travel-related industry obtained an average career salary of $81,900, significantly higher than workers whose first jobs were in manufacturing, construction, health care and most other industries.

The report – Travel: America’s Unsung Hero of Job Creation – clearly shows for lodging, hospitality and tourism careers that require only a high school diploma or a college degree, the lessons learned in the travel industry contribute to higher income potential. Workers who begin in travel and tourism ultimately achieve higher wages throughout their careers.

While CHECK IN MICHIGAN has supported an exemption from the post Labor Day school start law for schools with a true year-round school calendar of at least 195 days of instruction, the majority of schools receiving waivers are only in session for the required 180 days.

Richeson says, “What we’re seeing today is a school calendar shell game that doesn’t improve kids’ educational outcomes, and is preventing opportunities for on-the-job learning experiences.” The hospitality exec adds, “A post Labor Day school start is important for Michigan’s tourism economy; creates employment opportunities for people of all ages, including teens; allows families to make memories all summer long; and ultimately that’s why voters overwhelming support the law.”

Results of an annual survey conducted by CHECK IN MICHIGAN continue to show strong support for Michigan’s post Labor Day school start law.

In looking at the numbers, Richeson says, “Two thirds of Michigan voters support the law requiring all public-school districts to start after Labor Day,” and quickly adds, “We have seen overwhelming support, year after year. And, Michigan voters want to have a voice in the decision-making process.”

For the past two years, voters have indicated that they would like to choose when their local schools should start. The poll conducted in late August 2018 revealed seventy-two percent support for giving the voter, not the school board, local control over when their schools should start.

Calculating the damage, Richeson tells us about “Water parks closing weekdays because of a lack of staff to work the full summer season.  Resorts not opening all restaurants and amenities. We’ve heard stories from across the state as lodging and tourism businesses feel the pinch of the shortened season and inability to hire teens to work the full summer.”

In conclusion, Richeson argues, “Voters deserve to have a voice on something that impacts both our children and families and the tourism industry– a vital segment of Michigan’s economy.” She says, “The tourism economy is hit hard as families are forced to cut their summer vacations short, and so are young workers.”

CHECK IN MICHIGAN, also known as the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association, has a 113-year tradition of working to promote lodging, travel and tourism in Michigan.

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