By By Kerry Whipple – publisher
Both the Brewton City School Board and the Escambia County School Board passed resolutions last week opposing a mandatory calendar for state school districts.
Alabama lawmakers have discussed passing legislation that imposes a mandatory start date for the school year.
Backers of such a bill say early school start dates impose on Alabama's tourism industry.
Local school board members said the issue is about local control.
Escambia County Assistant Superintendent Mary Bess Powell said that if county schools were forced to start in late August or even early September, the school district would not be able to complete the first semester before the first of the next year.
Brewton Superintendent Lynn Smith said the mandatory calendar proposal could get &#8220a lot of attention” this year.
Both board will send their resolutions to the Legislature.