The east Cobb Republican had sponsored similar legislation, HB 1097, that would have applied the same requirement to schools statewide, but that bill was voted down in the House Education Committee earlier this month.
Dollar said his bill was killed by legislators on the committee who are either former school board members or superintendents.
"They don't believe in taking any authority away from local superintendents," Dollar said.
Dollar said the chairman of the education committee, Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth), helped to stop the bill from passage. Dollar said he was disillusioned by a "litany of intimidation tactics employed" over the vote, such as requiring all those who voted in favor of the bill to stand in support, something he had never seen done before.
Starting school later in August is good for business, and thriving businesses are good for schools, Dollar said.
For instance, when tourists spend money at Six Flags, the school district gets some of that money through its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Dollar also says it's less costly to operate school in May than in the hotter month of August because of lower energy costs.
Last November, the Cobb school board voted 4-3 to go to a much-criticized "balanced" calendar for the next three years, beginning school Aug. 2 this fall. Board members Dr. John Abraham and David Banks, who had both campaigned on a later school start date, reversed their campaign pledges once in office to vote in favor of the balanced calendar. However, if approved, Dollar's legislation would trump the school board's calendar.
To pass the local legislation, Dollar needs votes from three of Cobb's five state senators and eight of Cobb's 14 state representatives.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) sounded less than enthusiastic about Dollar's proposal.
"I generally support local control of these matters," Rogers said.
Still, Rogers said he has not attended any committee meetings on the issue or heard any testimony, and therefore hesitates to give his opinion until he has read the bill.
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This is NOT a state issue but a local issue.
Instead of hiding behind all the "jobs and revenue" smokescreen why don't you just admit you are pandering to a few whining East Cobb moms who don't like the new schedule? If you are really a Republican you should understand the concept of local control, and why you should not be introducing legislation on this issue. Following your logic perhaps we should convince the federal government to exert their control over local issues and make your position as redundant as you would make the CCSB. The bottom line is if you, or a whiny minority, do not like the new school calendar try running for the CCSB and change it where it was approved. And one last small bit of advice for you, those of us who like the new schedule also vote, keep that in mind...
What can be wrong with that?
As our Board Chairwoman said, look at all the options - including the ones you already shoved through. Make the hard decisions and do the right thing! If not, then someone needs to help you see the light - got for it Dollar!