For years, tourism interests have been unsuccessful in their efforts to coax the North Dakota Legislature to delay the start of school until after Labor Day - and the House Education Committee wants the losing streak to continue.

The panel, after a two-hour hearing, voted 12-1 on Monday to recommend that the full House defeat legislation that would prevent school from starting until the Tuesday after Labor Day, which is the first Monday in September. Most schools now begin in mid- to late August.

The bill has been scheduled for a vote tonight during the Legislature's Citizens Night, when both the House and Senate will hold evening floor sessions to debate bills.

Advocates of the measure brandished a public opinion poll that showed widespread support for a post-Labor Day school start, and argued the change would be beneficial for family vacations and North Dakota's economy.

Bill Shalhoob, a Bismarck motel owner and chairman of the North Dakota Tourism Alliance Partnership, said North Dakota businesses that rely on tourism endure a steep drop-off in customers when school begins.

"A day in August, in terms of the tourism industry, is three times as valuable as a day in May, or even early June, for vacations and for business," Shalhoob said. "The weather is more predictable, and much more conducive to travel."

However, school superintendents said they had heard no clamor from parents for an early September school start. The beginning of practice for football and other sports in early or mid-August almost makes the school starting date irrelevant for many families, said Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch, R-Mandan, the chairwoman of the House Education Committee.

"For all practical purposes, parents have to come back at that time anyway," Kelsch said.

Paul Johnson, the Bismarck school superintendent, said the district surveys parents regularly on their calendar preferences. They like a late August start and a May finish, before the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Johnson said.

"Fall sports start in August. Kids are anxious to get back to school in August, and they want to finish by the end of May," Johnson said.