By Chris Yow
Editor
The shopping is almost coming to a close and school kids are soon to be missing the free time summer offered, as Jefferson County schools begin their school year Thursday, Aug. 6.
This weekend, however, offers parents the opportunity to finish that back-to-school list with many items being offered tax-free beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ending at 12 midnight on Sunday.
The cities of Clay, Pinson and Trussville will each participate in the tax-free weekend, making many important school items less expensive than normal. An example of the items parents can stock up on are clothing items, such as shirts, shorts, caps and shoes, less than $100 per item. Computers are also tax exempt this weekend. Almost any type of stationary will be tax exempt as well.
Pinson and Clay schools will be in full swing starting this week, while Trussville City Schools wait one more week to bring in students. Trussville schools are set to begin Aug. 12. Jefferson County school students will have a few days of class to determine what supplies they will need throughout the year.
Teachers and staff members reported to the schools Tuesday, and soon the halls and classrooms will be full of students as well.
Trussville City Schools begin a week later this year, and Hal Riddle, who was named calendar committee chair said the reason was simple.
“Our parents, our kids and our teachers want to start school as late as possible, but they don’t want to get out in June,” Riddle said. “We take into consideration the opinions of parents and teachers when making the schedule.”
Jefferson County schools will receive an entire week off for Thanksgiving break. Students will not return from Christmas break until Jan. 12. Conversely, Trussville schools will only have three days off the week of Thanksgiving, and will return from Christmas break on Jan. 6.
The last day for students in Clay and Pinson will be May 27, while Trussville City Schools will dismiss students at noon on May 24 with graduation set for that evening.