News Conferences SEPTEMBER 1, 2OO4 News Conference with Representatives Burkhalter and Wilkinson	c	News Release and Opinion Editorials NEWS CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 1, 2004   Uniform School Start Date Looks Good on All Counts (Atlanta) -- Citing research that shows students excel academically in states where end-of-semester exams are taken after the Winter Break, Representatives Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta) and Joe Wilkinson (R-Atlanta) today pledged to file legislation codifying a uniform school start date and passing the travel and tourism industry's anticipated extra revenue to the schools. MORE     Georgia Parents Unite To Fight For Sensible School Calendars   Web Site, Online Petition Among Initial Activities (November 7, 2003)  When parents in Cobb County started seeing the school year creep earlier and earlier into the month of August, they weren't sure they liked it. When they heard their school district was considering a move to a year- round calendar, they weren't sure what to think. When they started doing research on year-round school calendars, they were sure they had to do something to fight it. MORE! Say no to year-round schools in Cobb and Georgia DEAR EDITOR: The Cobb County School Board is attempting to quietly change our school calendars to year round schools without considering all the facts. When Cobb and Georgia school boards continue to shorten the summer, they are robbing children of a multitude of educational programs and traditions. MORE!		Newspaper Stories Saving Our Summer Linda Bachmann The Jewish Times August 17, 2003 I've been shopping -- and not for fabulous sale swimsuits, suntan lotion or strappy summer sandals. Despite the hot summer sunshine and still-long summer days, since mid-July I've been out with my daughter, stocking up on dress code- appropriate collared shirts, not-too-short skirts and sensible shoes. Add to that list a graphing calculator, binders, folders and a mountain of college-ruled notebook paper. MORE! Hot under the collar over school year's early start   By JOHN M. DONEGAN,Published on: 08/10/04 Group comes out against year- round schooling MARIETTA - Even though the Cobb County school board has never considered a formal proposal on the topic, a group of local parents has already mobilized to oppose any plans to switch to a year- round school calendar. MORE! Madison forms group opposing proposal to shorten summer break MARIETTA - In the seven years Acworth resident Scotti Madison has lived in Cobb County with his family, he said he has always been pleased with the quality of education his children have received. But three months ago, when he first heard that the county school board was discussing expanding the local school calendar, Madison, 44, said he discovered a newfound interest in the inner workings of local education.MORE! Balanced calendar The balanced calendar is the first cousin of year-round schools and would distribute vacation days throughout the school year rather than clumping them in the summer, although it would have the same number of school days per year as the present calendar.MORE! School calendar may grow Two north metro Atlanta counties have broached the idea of extending their school years, a creep toward year-round schooling that has upset some parents.MORE!