HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –
Outrage is what many parents and school officials are feeling after a proposed new school calendar for schools in Alabama goes viral on social media.
Tuesday afternoon, Huntsville City Schools urged the community to tell legislators their concerns about a proposed new school calendar for the 2020-21 school year. According to the school districts’ post, the calendar is being pushed by state lawmakers.
“We’re hearing from Representative Hurst and Senator David Sessions are filing a bill to mandate a state calendar. In the past a mandated calendar was to increase tourism and increase income in the Gulf Coast Area,” said Huntsville City Schools Board Member of District 3 Elisa Ferrell.
However, this proposed mandated calendar would have students start a month later, and have no breaks in between the months of January and May.
“A mandated calendar that starts after Labor Day, especially since Labor Day is so late this year and ends before Memorial Day really truncates they year,” said Ferrell.
The proposed calendar wasn’t a prefiled bill.
Madison County School officials declined to go on camera but did issue this statement.
“Madison County School Superintendent Allen Perkins has reached out tour Madison County delegation. He did express concern about the calendar schedule. If the bill is proposed, he wants them to oppose it.”
Madison County School Superintendent Allen Perkins as well as others superintendents are in Montgomery right now to find out the future of this proposed school calendar.
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Huntsville City Schools is calling on the community to call their legislators and express their concern for a proposed provision that would significantly alter school calendars and school hours.
Huntsville City Schools posted a photo of a proposed state-wide school calendar for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year. If the proposed calendar were to be adopted, Alabama students would begin classes Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day. According to the calendar, Spring Break and Fall Break would be eliminated, and students would only get Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day off before Winter Break.
The school system said that along with the new calendar proposition, an additional provision could be added to extend school hours. Elementary schools would be in session from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Middle School/Jr. High would be in session from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and High School would be in session from 8:30 p.m. – 5:40 p.m.
In an impassioned plea, Huntsville City Schools outlined the negative impact this proposed calendar and school hours would have on students, teachers, staff, and families. They also urged the community to contact their legislators and say these proposed changes are not in the best interest for students or teachers.
The bill is expected to be introduced during the legislative session, which began Tuesday, Feb. 4.
You can read Huntsville City Schools’ full statement here:
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