"Busing costs high, school district considers four-day week; Shift could require law change; state education chief skeptical" by James Vaznis | Globe staff, January 15, 2014
It is an idea that would disrupt parents’ lives, delight students and teachers, and even save taxpayers money: a four-day school week.
In Western Massachusetts, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District is exploring the approach, hoping to save the money it costs to ship students across a district that encompasses 250 square miles, more than five times the size of Boston.
Just trying to take stock of the situation.
Superintendent Michael Buoniconti estimates the shorter week could save about $400,000 annually, much of it in transportation costs. A bus ride to school can take longer than an hour.
“That’s big money for a district like Mohawk,” said Buoniconti. “Because of that potential, I think it’s worth taking a look at it.”
Across the nation, a small but growing number of rural districts facing tight finances and the challenge of busing students many miles have embraced the four-day school week. In Colorado, a hotbed of the movement, about half of the school districts have adopted a four-day week in some or all schools.
But in Massachusetts, where state leaders have long been proud of a reputation for high academic standards, cutting a day of classes could be a tough sell. The move would require approval by state officials because Massachusetts law mandates at least 180 days of schooling a year and encourages even more days, if possible. That law may have to be changed to accommodate the request, Buoniconti said.
So? They make and change laws all the time here.
Mitchell Chester, the state commissioner of elementary and secondary education, is not a fan of the idea.
Oh, it matters more who is in charge of some department in Democratic Massachushitts(?).
“Commissioner Chester is not inclined to approve such a request,” JC Considine, a department spokesman, said in an e-mail. “But the commissioner did tell Superintendent Buoniconti that he would discuss the matter with staff and get back to him.
“Time in the classroom is essential for all students, and, across the Commonwealth, we are looking for opportunities to expand teaching and learning,” Considine said.
And yet budgets are being cut.
Buoniconti stressed that school district leaders are merely researching the idea and that no formal proposal has been devised. But he said that if his district and residents decide to pursue a four-day school week, the potential shift would include lengthening school days so students would receive the same number of hours of instruction as they do over five days.
(I heard the groan go up from the kids)
Some workplaces do four 10-hour shifts. Might as well get the kids ready for their $lavery.
Mohawk is not the first district in Massachusetts to examine a four-day school week. Many districts bounced the idea around during the recession in the early 1990s as a cost-saving measure, said Thomas Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
“It really never went anywhere,” Scott said. “The more people looked at it and talked about it, the more that other issues emerged, like day care for children.”
Oh, the schools are simply politically-correct day care centers of inculcation and indoctrination and GLORIFIED BABY-SITTERS, huh?!
Holyoke, perhaps, came the closest to implementing the change. Reeling from voter rejection of a property-tax override, the city’s School Committee approved a plan in 1991 to move to a four-day school week. But the state Board of Education threatened to sue and withhold state aid, prompting Holyoke to reverse course.
In some places that would be called harassment and intimidation, but not in the $tate-$upporting, $tatu$ quo propaganda pre$$.
Research has mostly shown little variation in achievement among students who go to school four days or five days a week….
(Bell indicating class is over rings)
Mohawk has been struggling financially for years.
As this state lords tax subsidies on profitable financial firms, bio- and green-tech, and Hollywood (among others).
The district, on the Vermont border, serves 1,000 students from nine towns: Ashfield, Buckland, Colrain, Heath, Plainfield, Shelburne, Charlemont, Hawley, and Rowe. About a decade ago, Mohawk considered closing some elementary schools; nearly every town has one within its borders. But residents objected, not wanting to lose a sense of community.
We are good people out here, folks!
The district, Buoniconti said, ultimately saved money when the state allowed municipalities to join together to buy health insurance. But costs are rising again, most notably in busing.
It's the damn bus drivers is what it is -- and the complete disaster that is Obummercare!
UPDATE: 3 school buses burn; fire called ‘suspicious’
Buoniconti said the toughest sell could be to parents, who may be worried about child-care arrangements on the weekday that school is not in session.
“Anytime significant change is introduced there usually is quite a bit of resistance,” said Buoniconti. “I have no idea how the community feels at this point.”
Like in the case of peace with Iran, right?
--more--"
