A four-day school week? As Forest Lake and others study idea, s...

About 100 districts across the country have four-day weeks, according to estimates by the National School Boards Association.

[nasty]

I live in Forest Lake and my son is all for it. Every Mon off would be great!

[TiredOldVet]

Our kids are already falling behind the rest of the world in education. They should be in school many more days of the year, not less.
The kids were off school for the summer only so they could help with the farm work. Since almost no one does that anymore they should be in school year round, with a short summer vacation.

[School Taxes]

I'd like to see parents step up and help make some real contributions to the school deficits. I'm looking at a $60,000 dollar drop in value of my home and a $790 increase in my taxes. I don't have and never have had any kids in the system. Parents very rarely pay what it costs to educate their kids, they have their hands in the pockets of others to "subsidize" their children. Instead of getting tax credit, it should go the other way around, they should have to pay more not get a break for their kids.

How about some new thinking for the outrageous costs of "special education" and special needs kids.

[MNCyclone]

This is another thing with which school boards are threatening parents if they don't approve increased taxes. Just like larger class sizes, busing cuts, eliminating band, etc. Technically, I think the term is extortion.

[MAD]

If they want to improve grades and save money, go to year-round school.

[Quit Raising Me Taxes]

It lowers the cost of education and improves attendance ... why would academics not follow??? At least one board member in Forest Lake knows what's best for our children!

[Scott in Orlando]

Any changes in education are met with skepticism. Most comments have little to do with actually educating our children and what will advance their intellectual and academic pursuits. The fact that Minnesota already is below the minimum 180 school days is unacceptable.

[Maplewood]

They forgottten this kids to do work on the family farm anymore - so what will these kids be doing on the 5th day then
1) somw babysitting other younger brother and sisters
2) some studing
3) some just sitting on their butts
4) some just playing games
5) some will be going to jail

[What am I missing]

Huh? Did I miss something? Is the Forest Lake School Board proposing an increase in taxes? No! They can't even do that right now. There is no "threatening" going on. The fact of the matter is that if your expenses are going up and you are receiving less money coming in, then cuts will HAVE to be made. There is no option to even increase our taxes for the next several years. Where do you suggest the cuts come from?

[sointly]

I'm sure glad they are considering the financial impact this will have on single parents and working families...the potential effect it may have on drug use and related crimes...our children do not need more free time...they need a better education.

[spread head]

as a teacher...I'm all for this!!!One less day with the snot nosed kids.

[sointly]

spread head wrote:

as a teacher...I'm all for this!!!One less day with the snot nosed kids.

Does that mean your willing to take a salary cut?

[Marv]

School Taxes wrote:

...
How about some new thinking for the outrageous costs of "special education" and special needs kids.

How about a little specificity here...

[Scott in Orlando]

sointly wrote:

<quoted text>
Does that mean your willing to take a salary cut?

Would you take a salary cut if you had to work the same total hours just configured differently?

[Jimmy]

Scott in Orlando wrote:

<quoted text>
Would you take a salary cut if you had to work the same total hours just configured differently?

It's not a matter of would you, many employer's are having to lay people off or let people go due to the down turn in our economy. I think our government and school districts should be imposing a wage freeze across the board. no more garrenteed salary increases for the fat cats in our schools. Performance pay should also be imposed to Principals and Superintendents. Why should the lowest paid (teachers) be the only ones responsible for good grades.

[Scott in Orlando]

Jimmy wrote:

<quoted text>
It's not a matter of would you, many employer's are having to lay people off or let people go due to the down turn in our economy. I think our government and school districts should be imposing a wage freeze across the board. no more garrenteed salary increases for the fat cats in our schools. Performance pay should also be imposed to Principals and Superintendents. Why should the lowest paid (teachers) be the only ones responsible for good grades.

Merit pay = a good idea!!