Pennsylvania Department Of Education Open To Four-Day School Weeks
HARRISBURG (CBS) - A spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Education says state officials are open to the idea of four-day weeks in classrooms as school districts look for ways to save money.
It is not exactly a trend yet. Only two districts, including Keystone Oaks in Allegheny County, have applied for permission to do it. A few others, including in Coatesville in Chester County, have considered or are considering four-day school weeks.
However, Tim Eller, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, says interested districts will find state officials receptive.
"They support school districts looking at any way to be innovative, to reduce costs. And if that includes a four-day week, that would obviously be something that the PDE would look favorably upon," Eller said.
A spokesman for the state's largest teachers union says the union has concerns about lengthening school days to create shorter weeks, but believes it could be worked out. In Coatesville, an official says concerns about pension implications have caused the district to drop consideration of the idea for now.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060
