Legislature Votes To Alter School Calendar
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: May 1, 2012
The Alabama Senate Tuesday approved a bill that places limitations on
when classes can begin and end. Under the measure, classes cannot begin
in the 2012-2013 term before August 20 and before August 19 in the
2013-2014 school term. Classes must be dismissed for summer vacation
before May 24. The House voted to adopt the Senate version of the
bill.
The lure for lawmakers and others is a projected increase in tourism. Some analysts think the current school calendar--under which many students return from summer break in early August ---is costing the state more than $300-million per year in tourism revenue.
However,
most if not all superintendents are don't care for the law including Dothan's
Tim Wilder. "I just don't like when they
dictate when we start and end," he said.
Shorter in-term breaks, such as spring break and Christmas vacation will be the result
