Local School Districts Have Mixed Reaction to Four-Day School Week

A four-day school week is just one of the cost cutting measures State School Superintendent Jim Rex is proposing.

Dr. Rex is asking the General Assembly to modify the current 180 day minimum requirement for school calendars, so that local districts would have the option of going to a four-day work week if they choose.

That would mean lengthening four schools day to equal a week's worth of instruction.

Vote in Amy Wood's blog - are you in favor of it?

We’ve contacted school districts in the Upstate to see if they would consider such a school week:
This is what we asked them and what they had to say:
Dr. Rex is making some cost-cutting recommendations for the districts – including the possibility of a four day school week. Is that something your district would consider?

Dr. Scott Turner
Superintendent
District Five Schools of Spartanburg County
At this point, District Five would not consider a four day week.
It would disrupt schedules for parents, students, schools, extracurricular events, athletics, and many other programs.
I also believe it would adversely impact learning. Our elementary schools begin the day at 7:40 am and end at 2:20 pm. These young students would experience fatigue and loss of concentration if the day were lengthened by hours. Our teachers work extremely hard and put all their effort into instruction for the hours they serve their children. I believe asking them to teach longer hours each day would lesson their effectiveness.
Other than saving on fuel and maybe a small amount of energy,( Our buildings would still be open 5 days per week and need to be heated and cooled), I do no believe this would be an effective way of cutting costs.

Cherokee County:
Bill James

I am meeting with principals and directors now to discuss.

Dr. Joanne Avery
Deputy Superintendent
Anderson School District Four
We would welcome this if the law changes - as I understand other states have moved to this and it has saved dollars and not adversely affected instruction and achievement. In time like today - its these forward thinking ideas that are needed.

Anderson District 3
Hugh Smith, Superintendent
It is something that we would definitely consider if the state gives us that flexibility. I read where Speaker Harrell does not favor the four day week option so this may not be on the table. I would hope that if districts have to implement cost-cutting measures due to budget cuts by the state, the state would provide the districts the flexibility to make those cuts in the areas local leaders deem most appropriate.

Laurens 55
Ed Taylor, Superintendent
I am opposed to 4 day weeks because I think it would impair learning. Parents will need to find places for their children on Fridays. Even if we offer child care, the expense and transportation will be issues. I do think it is OK that districts have the choice.

Wayne Fowler
Superintendent, Anderson District 1:
A four day week would save on the cost of fuel for buses. Since fuel is not a district costs but a state cost, a four day week would not be a significant savings to the district budgets. All salaries would still be paid to the employees because they would be working all of their hours in a four day week. I think it would be a good idea for the legislature to give our districts as much flexibility as possible within our budgets. If the state gave us the option of a four day work week, Anderson One would not implement that schedule at this time. A four day week would affect the instructional program and impact student achievement. Also, a four day week will result in problems for the families finding day care. A four day week would be the last option that Anderson One would choose.

Dr. Scott Mercer
Spartanburg District 2
We are not considering a four-day school week at this time; neither are any other of the Spartanburg districts. Spartanburg Two already operates at the lowest expenditure per pupil in the state; there is no fat to trim. We saw this issue coming when the school funding mechanism changed from the stability of property to the volatility of sales taxes and have worked to keep our expenditures conservative to protect our programs for children and employees. However, allowing flexibility for using funds where they are most needed rather than in fixed areas would provide some temporary relief, and we appreciate Dr. Rex’s support for that idea.