The Baldwin County Board of Education has pushed back the first day of school. Classes will begin August 16th. In years past, school started as early as the 5th of August. The move is good news for beach businesses who rely on the summer shopping season to make a profit.
"We're so reliant on tourists, any week or two you can add to the season is great," says Gulf Shores business owner Dan Farmer. Farmer owns TCBY. "I'm thrilled! It's great! Hey, push it back another week, that'd be better!"
Students who work summer jobs will also benefit. They'll be on the payroll just a little bit longer. School officials say it's a win-win for everyone including the board of education, who will collect additional sales tax revenue.
"Kids that are going to college, kids that are preparing to go to college, it can give them more money," says Gulf Shores High School student Mary Layson Gottfried.
Students will still have to attend the mandatory 180 school days as required by the state. To compensate, school officials cut Fall Break in October, eliminated a day at Spring Break and will keep kids two days longer at the end of the school year.
The updated school calendar can be found on the Baldwin County Board of Education's website: www.bcbe.org/calendar
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