Seems that if you run the school day longer for days ALL employees should not lose pay. So where is the benefit Votes: +1

I used to teach in Oregon, and our small district went to a 4 day week as a money-saving strategy. The community was initially unhappy, believing we teachers were being overpaid for the time we worked (actually, we added about 20 hours to our contract time without additional pay) and because of the child care issue. My son at that time was very young and I had to find child care for him too, but there were many high school students available! The 4-day week worked very well financially; our district saved over $4000/week in transportation costs alone! An unexpected plus was our students' NCLB test scores increasing dramatically, largely due to their not missing so many class hours for sports and activities. Many of our families are rural, and they appreciated the additional time they had to spend with their students. It was a positive experience all the way around. Votes: +10

The concerns about saving money are not liberal feel good plans. All support staff would work one less day.....and in most places they are by the hour/day/route employees. It would save on fuel costs and maintenance costs of buses, buildings would save on electric but that is a very minor savings of maybe 2-3 hours of electric. My school extended the day by 1/2 hour each day until we made days up. It was a HUGE inconvenience when implemented in the last 2 months of school as far as after school activities are concerned. However, if this was the schedule for the whole year and that is what you would be used to it would not be so bad. The first week of this the kids were extra tired, but by the end of doing this they were not any noticeable different than before we added the time. Votes: +7

I teach at a small rural Arkansas school. We have already made plans to start a 4 day week when school starts back in the fall. The school has done all the paperwork and checking with parents and teachers alike. The town is being very positive. We are trying it for the first 9wk period. This will give us a chance to see if it will help us with our money problems. Votes: +3

I thought it was only for high schools. No matter what, I like
the idea. The school districts from what I gather did research
and found it would be a cost saving measure. The first obvious
one ... school busses would only run 4 days a week rather than 5. :D Votes: +8

As a teacher, I am an advocate of implementing a four-day school week. I believe that it would be beneficial to both educators and students. Yes, there are obstacles to eliminating one day of education per week, but the benefits of doing so are undeniable. Votes: +5

Amazing...the first and only comment I see here is someone asking for someone else to "bail out" a school. Don't we have enough gimme, gimme, gimme in this country? Votes: +3

How will this save money? Will any person lose pay because of this? Seems that if you run the school day longer for days ALL employees should not lose pay. So where is the benefit? Close buildings for a day to save power? What about the extra power used to keep them open longer the other 4 days? Get this down to numbers on paper, not just some liberal feel good plan. Don't act like the federal government did a few days ago. Votes: +1

I have been advocating a four-day week for years. It can be done by adding one hour to the four school days but should help with attendance("I can make it just one more day"). That day could be a Friday or Monday or as in Europe a Wednesday. In the past that was the system in several countries in Europe. Another viable option is year-round school with a week off every six weeks. It would leave a summer vacation- albeit shorter. Votes: +4

I understand Bill Husfelt's concerns but really, when did the public school system become free babysitting? Oh wait, it's been treated that way for a very long time! The attitude of many parents, who view the schools as free child care rather than an educational institution is outrageous! Most, pay for child care after school hours until they get home from their jobs (if they are fortunate to have one). With the money they will save from not paying 4 days of afternoon child care, they can pay for full one day! Those that have the luxury or tragedy of not working will be able to enjoy quality family time, which our country (as a whole) so despirately lacks! To the question if the students can manage the extra hour and a half... sure! Teacher's may have to pace things a bit differently and allow for some breaks but many elementary children go to after-school child care and do homework and have a structured environment. Votes: +7

It shouldn't have to happen. Why can't the Florida Lottery bail us out! Votes: -5