Montgomery, AL – Public school classes in Alabama would not start until Aug. 22 under a bill introduced in the Legislature that's aimed at improving tourism in coastal regions still struggling to get over the effects of last year's oil spill.
The bill is being sponsored by Republican Rep. Jim Barton of Mobile. The start of the school year currently varies across the state with some school districts starting as early as late July or the first week in August. Barton said the early start of classes causes many families to cut their summer vacation short and means early unemployment for many workers hired for the summer vacation season.
The bill was introduced last week and has been assigned to the House Education Policy Committee. Barton said the Gulf Coast region has been stung by the oil spill and hurricanes in recent years. He sees the proposal as a way to boost the region's struggling economy.
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