Committee approves bill to restore longer summer break; advocates say it boosts student well‑being and local flexibility
January 17, 2025 | Education Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Senate Education Committee on Jan. 17 passed Senate File 72, the “Summer Vacation Preservation Act,” which sets a default school calendar that starts after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day and reduces the minimum required school days in statute.
Senator Brennan, sponsor, said the bill returns summer vacation time to students and teachers and provides an “alternate schedule” exception for districts that can justify different calendar choices. The measure reduces the statutory school-day totals in several places: it removes 175-day language down to 165 days in one section and reduces another statutory total from 185 to 170 days; it also includes language that prohibits districts from reducing teachers’ salaries because of the change.
Department of Education staff told the committee that, on a normal year with standard breaks, there are about 172 calendar weekdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Senator Rothfuss and other supporters said the change is meant to restore a longer summer break to improve mental health, provide time for family and summer jobs, and give students a stronger sense of childhood leisure time.
Public testimony included a student letter read by a parent describing the effect of a compressed school calendar on children’s enjoyment of school and family time. Nick Bellack of the Wyoming School Boards Association urged care for preserving district flexibility and warned that professional-development scheduling and instructional sequencing require attention if statutory day counts change.
The committee recorded a 4–1 vote in favor (Senators Bridal, Olson, Rothfuss and Chairwoman Schueller voted aye; Senator Scott voted no) and reported the bill do pass.
What it does: The bill establishes a default calendar window (start after Labor Day; recess before Memorial Day), adjusts statutory day counts downward in specified sections, and explicitly bars district salary reductions attributable to the change.
What remains open: Districts may seek alternate schedules; the bill’s sponsor said she is open to amendment on effective date timing. The Department of Education noted instructional seat‑hour requirements are set in rule and would need to be considered by districts when they adopt calendars.
Next steps: The bill will proceed to the full Senate.
Senator Brennan, sponsor, said the bill returns summer vacation time to students and teachers and provides an “alternate schedule” exception for districts that can justify different calendar choices. The measure reduces the statutory school-day totals in several places: it removes 175-day language down to 165 days in one section and reduces another statutory total from 185 to 170 days; it also includes language that prohibits districts from reducing teachers’ salaries because of the change.
Department of Education staff told the committee that, on a normal year with standard breaks, there are about 172 calendar weekdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Senator Rothfuss and other supporters said the change is meant to restore a longer summer break to improve mental health, provide time for family and summer jobs, and give students a stronger sense of childhood leisure time.
Public testimony included a student letter read by a parent describing the effect of a compressed school calendar on children’s enjoyment of school and family time. Nick Bellack of the Wyoming School Boards Association urged care for preserving district flexibility and warned that professional-development scheduling and instructional sequencing require attention if statutory day counts change.
The committee recorded a 4–1 vote in favor (Senators Bridal, Olson, Rothfuss and Chairwoman Schueller voted aye; Senator Scott voted no) and reported the bill do pass.
What it does: The bill establishes a default calendar window (start after Labor Day; recess before Memorial Day), adjusts statutory day counts downward in specified sections, and explicitly bars district salary reductions attributable to the change.
What remains open: Districts may seek alternate schedules; the bill’s sponsor said she is open to amendment on effective date timing. The Department of Education noted instructional seat‑hour requirements are set in rule and would need to be considered by districts when they adopt calendars.
Next steps: The bill will proceed to the full Senate.
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