Lawmakers want repeal of school calendar change | News

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- Two state lawmakers want to return the control over the school start date back to local school systems. Lawmakers passed the Flexible School Calendar Act during the last session.  The intent is to lengthen the summer break to give tourism in Alabama a boost.

State Representative Paul DeMarco and State Senator Bill Holtzclaw plan to introduce legislation to repeal the act, and return control over the start date to local school systems.

"We've heard from our constituents that each local school system wants to have the power and flexibility as to when school should start and end," Rep. DeMarco said.  "It's worked in the past.  And we think it'll work again."

For teacher Kelley Callaway, a later school start across the state wasn't so bad for her family.

'In one way I think it was good that we all started at the same time," Callaway said.  "We kind of have the same holidays, because a lot of us have family members in other areas in the state.  And that gives us a chance to vacation and visit together."

Elmore County school officials had concerns about the Act at first, but they say the longer break gave teachers more time to get ready.

"We've really started the school year off on a smooth note, because they have had some additional time up front to plan," said Superintendent Jeff Langham.

But Langham would welcome the return of local control.

"We as a school system believe especially when it comes to a calendar, we need local control on that."

The current Flexible School Calendar Act is scheduled to sunset or expire after the 2013-2014 school year.   That would give officials time to see if it had the intended positive impact on tourism in the state... But opponents want it changed sooner.

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