Just when Indiana and Michigan have synchronized their clocks, the start of their respective school years is out of whack.

In Indiana, most public school students have already returned to class. In Michigan, the law there now prevents the school year from starting before Labor Day.

At least three bills calling for a later start to the school year in Indiana were filed this year in the state legislature. However, all were ignored during a session that focused on property tax reform.

At least one local lawmaker (Rep. William Ruppel, (R) North Manchester) said he would file his school year bill again in 2009.

Today at the K.O.A. Campgrounds in Granger, members of the McGovern family had the pool all to themselves.

“We’re from New York,” said Roger McGovern, “they (the children) don’t go back to school until after Labor Day.”

In fact, the McGovern’s were among a mere handful of campers staying on the grounds.

“We have the place to ourselves, it’s very nice,” said Roger.

It may be nice for the McGoverns, but is it good for business?

“We had a bad, bad spring. Spring was bad and cold, nobody really came out here,” said campground manager Patricia Schenk. “Now we have decent weather, now everybody has to go back to school. If that could be delayed a week or two, that would be awesome.”

While the McGoverns were busy stealing some quality time in Granger, some of the locals were saying that they felt robbed.

“I feel like the school is robbing us of our family time,” said Jennifer Casetti, a PHM district parent. “The last two weeks of August are traditionally the warmest weeks. Baseball games, the kids should be riding their bikes, and going swimming and enjoying the summer and enjoying valuable family time.”

Melissa DeFerbrache has children enrolled in the Elkhart Schools. “They started last Wednesday,” Deferbrache said, “and I think it’s way too early, I think it stinks, I think we should wait until after Labor Day like Michigan does.”

Lori Sellers of Granger has grandchildren who went back to school last week. “I can see where it’s an advantage to some people, and a disadvantage to others so, for me, it doesn’t matter any more,” said Sellers.

Meantime, at least one local parent is in the mood to stand up and demand change.

“I think it’s time to do something about it,” said Jennifer Casetti. “We considered putting our kids in private school, we considered moving to Edwardsburg, you know all different sorts of things, but we’d really rather work within our school system.”

Casetti has already set up a meeting with the P-H-M Superintendent on the matter.

She is contemplating a petition drive to gauge community support.

Last year, a nationwide organization set up a website in Indiana at www.saveindianasummers.org.