Four Day School Week

The Klamath County School system in Klamath Falls, OR will be making a decision soon that could shorten the school week to four days from the current five.

According to an article in the Seattle Times this could save the school system $6.3 million each year. The article goes on to say that District Superintendent, Greg Thede, said a $5.8 million cut to the budget and 20 layoffs are the catalyst for an idea of this magnitude.

The Klamath Falls Association of Classified Employees (a union representing classified staff) are concerned that 380 classified staff would be out of work one day per week. Regardless of these concerns the district will move forward with this plan if it would save a "significant amount of money."

We asked today's panel: Do you agree with the Klamath County School System? What pitfalls can you see?

Scott Hinkley:

I am happy that the problems of Klamath County are finally becoming newsworthy. I think it is a tragedy that schools around America are facing such major shortfalls after so many wealthy corporations have received gluttonous doses of tax-payer money. This past decade has been filled with cuts in education and expansion of class sizes across the country, and this was during the get-rich part of the decade. Guess those tax-cuts really did hurt us huh?

I think at this point, Klamath County should shift to a four day week, as much as I am sorry for the workers who will take cuts in pay and the students who will have their educations further compromised. I think that until we are exposed to the detriment and decay in our schools, rather than concealing the price of underfunding our future generations, Americans will continue to vote ourselves right out of our higher-brain functionality.

The biggest mistake Americans have made in the past 50 years has been trading information for entertainment. Our lack of education has caused us to become fat, lazy, and celebrity obsessed. Next time you complain about bad drivers or ignorant workers, ask yourself why you didn't want to pay for them to get a basic education.

Nikki Lorenzini:

I think that this idea is totally absurd. First, let me play devils advocate to this idea: Yes, this idea can help save money. Money on electricity, salaries, buses, etc, and in this economy those cuts can go a long way. I know that there are companies out there that are doing this same thing. In fact, I know the company I used to work for did something similar to this, that people had to take one day off without pay per pay period.

But schools are not a business. They are not a corporation. They are there to educate children (if that wasn't obvious). I think its crazy that they are even considering cutting back to 4 days. I know kids get into enough trouble when they are not in school, so what is an extra day do to them?

Sure, parents can find a place for them to go during that day like a "day care" of the sorts, but that will cause even more strain on the parents. The parents work, so what are they supposed to do if they have younger children?

Why can't this school district find other places to cut money from? Can't they offer an early retirement to some of the older teachers, who I am sure are earning six figure incomes. I am sure that there are extra programs that they can cut back on, like dances, fairs, etc. I just think cutting back to four days is absolutely ridiculous.

Austin Lee:

What's not to like about a four day school week? I applaud the school system for actually using their brains for a change. They see a problem: a $5.8 budget cut, and a solution: a $6.3 Million savings by closing schools one day per week. Not only does this solution eliminate the short fall, it also provides an additional $500,000 surplus.

Some may whine about what parents are supposed to do that extra day each week. Well, maybe one of the parents should be at home that day spending time with their children and providing a nurturing environment. Maybe parents should stop using the public school system as a babysitting service.

I applaud the school system for even going public with this type of proposal. Just don't try and fire any of the teachers and their union will leave you alone.