In the Chandler school district, we have been accustomed to this modified year-round schedule for years. With this comfort comes fear of the possible new schedule change. HB2303, a bill that just passed the House with a 5-2 vote, can push back the first day of school until after Labor Day.

The new schedule brings a longer summer, from ending in late June to starting in early Sept., and instead of two week break after every quarter, it would be reduced down to one. Does that not sound like the perfect schedule? Not only do we get a longer summer, preventing us from being melted at school in July and August, but we still keep our mini-breaks after every quarter.

Politicians are saying that this bill can save money, because the schools need to be cooled more in the hotter months. According to a tuscon.com, “Rep. Eddie Farnsworth said [July and Aug.] present the heaviest load on the electrical grid, meaning Arizona utilities have to import electricity from elsewhere.” But parents and students are not concerned with the cost, they are just concerned whether or not it provides a good learning environment. It will be a beneficial change for students and parents, because the breaks will be long enough to keep everyone happy, there will be less risk of the AC and technology breaking down, and the number of school days in session will be kept the same.

Many public schools around the nation have this schedule; they start in mid-August or early September. They make it work; they do not have any issue taking in the knowledge to do well on their standardized tests. The main reason that people are concerned about this schedule change is because it is different. We have only know this modified year-round schedule. If a change to the schedule comes, yes it may be hard to adjust to, but together we will overcome this so-called tragedy.