With the price of oil going through the roof, Americans have seen an increase in just about everything. Food prices are increasing, commute costs are increasing, living costs are increasing, so then why are school days decreasing? It is true, some rural school districts in America have voted to remove one day of class for next years education term. This does not mean however that all students will enjoy three day weekeneds without penalty. No, unfortunately that missed day will have to be made up in the form of longer days the rest of the week. So why are schools doing this?
The answer is simple, to cut costs. School districts are hoping that by removing one school day they will be able to refrain from paying to heat the school an extra sixteen hours per week, as well as save on busing costs in transporting children to and from home. They hope that by saving money in these areas, that they will not have to resort to any loss in employment or cut back on materials for the classroom.
Will this catch on? Most likely no, as it is the rural districts who are already working with thin budgets that are feeling the strongest blow, but who knows. The extra day off would have been a welcomed movement when i was in school, although i would hate to be a parent who now has to make arrangements for my child’s supervision for this extra free day. Perhaps the best thing to do now is push for a four hour work week as well! I am all for it….
