The State Board of Education discusses an idea that has been getting a lot of attention as gas prices remain high – the proposal to allow individual school districts to cut back the school week from five to four days.
It was only a discussion item, but Board members who spoke did not seem to embrace the idea. Member Sybl Slaughter expressed concerns that families might have to make alternative daycare arrangements for the additional day off school.
Member Shirley Hindman raised a concern about how a four day week would affect children receiving free and reduced lunches Monday through Friday.
The Board took no action. Any effort to change the status quo would have to be approved by the General Assembly.
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