School districts move to four-day weeks

Nearly 300 school districts around the country have eliminated an entire school day each week in a desperate attempt to save money, and more are considering it.

For the first time, the larger, more urban districts are talking about it.

At least 292 school districts nationwide have a four-day week, more than double the 120 estimated two years ago. That’s still a small fraction of the nation’s 15,000 school districts, but it is one sign of the dramatic cuts that many school systems are being forced to make in the wake of the evaporation of federal stimulus funds and continuing fiscal troubles.

In North Branch, Minn., just north of the Twin Cities, they already cut the drama club, cheerleading, ski club and marching band. So many teachers have been laid off that some classrooms have 40 students and one high school guidance counselor juggles 550 students. When school officials couldn’t figure out what else to squeeze, they lopped off a day.

Day care costs and long, challenging school days are just two of the consequences faced by parents and students. Because most states require a minimum of instructional hours, districts that drop a day lengthen the remaining four days so students don’t lose “seat time.”

Washington Post, Oct. 28