Missouri lawmakers are looking at all sorts of ways to save cities and school systems money. How do you like this one?... a four-day school week. If passed, it could be an option for every school system in the state.

We wanted to know how this would affect working parents. Several told us they wouldn't like it. We were at Peabody eMints K through 8 school as parents picked up their kids today.

One mom told me she's either working or in school herself while her child is in class. Take a school day out of the normal work week and she won't know what to do with her kid. Another mom said she'd have to miss a day of work each week because she doesn't think she could find affordable child care for one day a week.

However this may be something school systems have to look at when you consider all the money they could save each year on transportation and utilities with 32 fewer school days.

I talked to Patrick Wallace, a spokesperson at St. Louis schools. The idea has yet to be formally discussed in St. Louis schools. The bill hasn't even passed the House yet, so there's a ways to go.

Patrick said he's sure if the four-day week becomes an option, school system leaders will look at it, but his gut reaction was it might not work for St. Louis. He told me each bus makes three runs and by the third pick up, some kids might not get home until 6:00pm or 7:00pm. That's a little late.

Parents at Peabody who aren't concerned about an impact on their work schedules were still concerned about their kids missing out on some education (even though the school day would be longer) by cutting out one day of classes each week.

2 Comments

Anonymous said:

You point out how it affects working parents, but how 'bout the other side of the story. You know....the families who have sacrificed a significant 2nd income to because they think being home with the kiddies is worth it. Why should they not only sacrifice this income they have trained for, but also be expected to pay for 'child care' for parents who didn't plan so well. (In other words, finish school BEFORE you have your children) A 4 day week allows for these parents to have a day educating their children....either extra field trips, extra work at home that they feel the child isn't getting in school. An amazing opportunity. Let's not assume all parents are against a 4 day week.

February 25, 2009 7:22 PM

Steve said:

What difference does cutting a day a week out of the schedule. Last I checked students were required to attend 180 days of school. 4 days a week or 5 days a week makes no difference.

February 26, 2009 5:11 AM

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.