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Newhouse and Chandler give testimony on
bill to allow
four-day school weeks
Arguing for more adequate instructional time in classrooms, Reps. Dan
Newhouse and Bruce Chandler today gave testimony to the House Education
Committee on House Bill 1292. Lyle School District Superintendent Martin
Huffman, who brought the idea to the 15th District representatives,
and Bickleton School District Superintendent Ric Palmer also testified
in favor of the bill.
The bill would allow school districts flexibility in reaching 1,000
instructional hours by waiving a 180-day requirement. Seventeen states
currently allow four-day school weeks.
"This is less about saving money -- although we could see about 20
percent dollar savings -- and more about quality time in the classroom,"
said Newhouse, R-Sunnyside. "Giving districts more flexibility in how
they reach the state’s requirement for hours allows them to have more
uninterrupted class time for students and teachers."
The bill would require school districts seeking the 180-day waiver to
submit a calendar as well as public comment taken from the affected
communities.
"This would not create a statewide mandate to move to four-day school
weeks, it would let individual communities and districts decide what is
best for them," said Chandler, R-Granger. "This is not something for
everyone, but it will be useful for a few."
Superintendent Huffman said the Lyle School District addressed
concerns about child care provisions for parents whose children would
otherwise be at home for the fifth day.
During testimony, Huffman highlighted a plan that would certify some
of the high school students to babysit some of the younger kids. He also
stressed that HB 1292 would give school districts more local control and
the ability to provide the substantial education they want to provide.
Superintendent Palmer said each school day would be lengthened about
30-45 minutes to make up for the fifth day of the week that students
would normally be in school.
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Fenton, Communications
Director - (360) 786-7728
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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