Politics
Politics

Georgia House votes to require recess

FEBRUARY 24, 2017 ATLANTA Students in Lisa Cunnigham’s second grade class play during a recess at the Burgess-Peterson Academy Friday, February 24, 2017. A bill introduced in the Georgia House would require at least a half-hour of recess for all Georgia students in kindergarten through fifth grade. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness” and school recess are inalienable rights. That was essentially the message Lilly Nordby Wills brought to Georgia lawmakers Tuesday, hoping to right what she sees as a grave injustice at her Paulding County school. “We get 15 minutes of recess, sometimes not even that, ” the fourth-grader told a room full of state representatives. Her teacher gives students extra work, and if they don’t complete it fast enough they lose even those meager moments of carefree time. She had to forfeit some of her recess last month, scribbling her work while the other kids played. “That made me sad, ” she said. Kent D. Johnson/AJC

Credit: Kent Johnson

Credit: Kent Johnson

FEBRUARY 24, 2017 ATLANTA Students in Lisa Cunnigham’s second grade class play during a recess at the Burgess-Peterson Academy Friday, February 24, 2017. A bill introduced in the Georgia House would require at least a half-hour of recess for all Georgia students in kindergarten through fifth grade. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness” and school recess are inalienable rights. That was essentially the message Lilly Nordby Wills brought to Georgia lawmakers Tuesday, hoping to right what she sees as a grave injustice at her Paulding County school. “We get 15 minutes of recess, sometimes not even that, ” the fourth-grader told a room full of state representatives. Her teacher gives students extra work, and if they don’t complete it fast enough they lose even those meager moments of carefree time. She had to forfeit some of her recess last month, scribbling her work while the other kids played. “That made me sad, ” she said. Kent D. Johnson/AJC
By
March 4, 2017

State Rep. Demetrius Douglas made no attempt to hide around his bill, seeking bipartisan approval.

"Thirty minutes of recess and can't be taken away because the kid is acting bad. That's it," said the Stockbridge Democrat.

The Georgia House voted 147-17 on House Bill 273, which requires schools in Georgia to provide at least 30 minutes of unstructured, preferably outdoor, break time for students in kindergarten and first through fifth grade.

The length, frequency, timing and location of the recess time is left to the discretion of local school boards.

The bill also provides recess as a right that cannot be taken away even from students who receive disciplinary action.

About the Author

Michelle Baruchman covers the Georgia House of Representatives and statewide issues. She is a politics news and enterprise reporter covering statewide political stories.

More Stories

Keep Reading

“The View” gave Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a chance to run down her positions on everything from the government shutdown to the drug wars. (Rod Lamkey Jr./AP)

Credit: AP

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.

LISTEN

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

It’s Election Day across the country, with a few key battles in Georgia. The “Politically Georgia” team dives into races across the state.

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

State lawmakers in both political parties are putting pressure on the other as the federal government shutdown continues.

The Latest

“The View” gave Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a chance to run down her positions on everything from the government shutdown to the drug wars. (Rod Lamkey Jr./AP)

Credit: AP

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

LISTEN

Democrats hope voters will deliver change in Public Service Commission race

State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

Featured

A person exits the Wolf Creek Library after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Light turnout on Election Day in metro Atlanta

Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the on the ballot for first time since 2020. Atlanta mayor, local government and school board seats are also up for grabs.

56m ago

Porsche, trips and more: Feds say former Hawks finance exec embezzled nearly $4M

The Hawks’ former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis allegedly spent years stealing money from the organization.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.