School’s Out for Friday?

An influential Vermont state senator wants to turn the lights out on Friday schooling, in an effort to save energy costs. Sen. Vince Illuzzi proposed that all public employees, including educators, work four days a week to save on energy costs. Making up the fifth day would most likely mean longer days Monday through Friday.

The executive director of Vermont-NEA believes the proposal is “quite interesting” and said that Vermont educators certainly want to help with energy costs. But there are several obstacles, says Joel Cook. For starters, state law currently prohibits the school year being more than 175 days and the four-day schedule would require that law being changed first.

“Every so often, a legislator has suggested moving to a four-day student week, and just about every legislator wants to help the state address our energy costs,” says Cook. “We're pleased to see Sen. Illuzzi step forward with a concrete idea, and of course would be willing to work with others to take a closer look at it.”

Vermont wouldn’t be the first state to make such a switch. Idaho has several school districts operate on four-day weeks. When they made the switch a number of years ago, the goal was to save money on energy costs and on transportation. The transition came at a time when state revenues had fallen behind projected budgets and the governor ordered many state agencies to cut back on spending.

What do you think? Would you rather work longer days four days a week, or stick to a traditional schedule?