Proposal to Extend School Days to Keep Students Away From Gun Violence Draws Mixed Reviews

By Ayron Lewallen | WVTM13 BIRMINGHAM — A Birmingham city councilman is proposing a bold idea to make sure students stay away from gun violence. Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods Councilor Clinton Woods is looking to extend the school day for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. He said most people think that means more classroom instruction time, but that’s not his plan. He wants to extend the hours schools are open to make sure students have the resources to stay out of trouble. Woods’ proposal would extend the school day by three hours. He feels requiring students to be at school at 7 in the morning instead of 8 a.m. will give them an extra hour to make sure they can eat breakfast and participate in mindfulness activities before they start classes. After school, from 3 to 5 p.m., he wants to offer students tutoring and career education to open their minds to different career paths. He also would make sure students are fed dinner before they’re picked up. Woods said he realizes getting kids to participate in these opportunities is difficult after school and on weekends, but requiring it would help parents make sure their kids have access...