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Baldwin County Students, Teachers to Enjoy Extra Week of Summer Vacation on Alabama's Beaches
4/6/2010
GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Approximately 27,000 students enrolled in public schools across Baldwin County will enjoy one extra week of summer vacation as the Baldwin County Board of Education (BCBE) recently adopted the 2010-2011 calendar with classes beginning on August 16. (Teachers start Aug. 11.) With a few additional days outside of the classroom, students and teachers will have the opportunity to make a direct and positive impact in the local economy, according to beach tourism officials.
“By starting school one week later, these students and teachers who hold crucial seasonal jobs at the local accommodations, restaurants and attractions can now help their part-time tourism and hospitality employers continue to welcome the steady flow of summer guests to the beach,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “Quite a few states, such as Texas and Arkansas, have later school start dates and thus, these families are visiting our beach destination later in August at the exact time when the local businesses are losing a large part of their workforce, who is returning to the classroom. We are grateful that the school board listened to our valid concerns and adopted this new calendar.”
This change in the school calendar has long been on the list of board chairman Tracy Roberts.
“We appreciate the many opportunities our coastal communities offer our teachers, students and families. Many of our students from across Baldwin County benefit from real life work experiences our gulf coast businesses provide them, and I know our teachers appreciate the extra income. The calendar adjustment is a win-win for everybody,” said Tracy Roberts, Baldwin County Board of Education president.
“Finalizing the school calendar is one of the most difficult things that have to be done. After state and national testing related to No Child Behind takes place, there is very little wiggle room to adjust the calendar, but we’re happy we could make provisions for students to begin school Aug. 16,” Roberts said.
Malone added that “hopefully other school systems in the state will look to Baldwin County as the shining example of a school system that begins the school year one week later yet still completes the first semester by Christmas break. We welcome the opportunity to have these students and teachers one week longer in our tourism and hospitality industry.”
To see the complete BCBE 2010-2011 calendar, go to www.bcbe.org/2010calendar.
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