By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill called for a resolution opposing a statewide education calendar. The Board approved the resolution, as part of the consent agenda during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020.
During the work session for the TCS Board of Education, Neill spoke out against a proposed bill that would require schools to start after Labor Day and to end by Memorial Day.
Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, is proposing the bill in order to extend summer break through Labor Day. He said it would help working students get more hours over the summer.
With the state requiring 180 full instructional days or 1,080 instructional hours, Neill said the change would interrupt school plans. TCS plans the educational calendar two years in advance.
“If we left our school day the same for when it starts and when it ends, then you would see Labor Day as a holiday and there would be no other break until possibly Veterans Day, and on the Friday after Thanksgiving, we would have to come back to school,” said Neill.
Neill said the change would also mean a shorter winter break, and no spring break.
“The other option would be to take breaks, take a spring break and calculate the hours to have students in school until 5 o’clock in the afternoon,” said Neill.
The superintendent said she believes longer days make instructional time more challenging for students and teachers.
Football would also be impacted by the statewide calendar proposal.
“We would have three football games with no students in school yet,” said Neill. “I’m not exactly sure how to do that, or have a pep rally or bus kids to away games.”
Neill believes the bill would be “problematic instructionally, academically and in athletics.”
Board member Dr. Steve Ward said he would be concerned with weather days with the proposed calendar.
Other school boards across the state have passed similar resolutions opposing the legislation.