MONTGOMERY — An Alabama lawmaker says public schools should extend their summer breaks through Labor Day to help workforce development.

Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, said he’ll sponsor legislation to require that school summer breaks run at least from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If Hurst’s proposal were in effect this year, students would have a 15-week break. He said the current summer breaks don’t give older students enough time to get summer jobs and work experience.

While some business leaders support the move, other school leaders oppose it, saying it takes local control away from school systems and could cause hardship for students and families. Read more.