I suppose that we should extend the benefit of a doubt to the legislators behind the latest innovative concept for reducing costs for school districts.
Main sponsor, Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville), claims that allowing school boards to switch to a four-day school week, compensating by lengthening school days, is a reasonable response to the budget crisis. To Black’s way of thinking, it’s a painless solution to the problem of low revenue.
So what is lost? Phil Kadner has some thoughts on that:
I can’t wait to see what school system will be the first to adopt the four-day week.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has already said he’s against it, citing the need for day care if children are at home while their parents are at work.
I have this bizarre notion that a day less of school will mean less education. And I also have the feeling you won’t see school districts in Lake Forest, Wilmette or Orland Park adopting the four-day week anytime soon.
My money would be on schools in poorer communities such as Harvey, Chicago Heights, Dolton and Markham adopting the shorter school week first.
Of course, like most things in Illinois, this has nothing to do with improving the quality of education and everything to do with saving money.
Question: Why is “cut education quality” the legislature’s answer to every financial problem in Illinois?
In a subtle reference to Jonathon Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” Kadner takes things to their logical conclusion.
If we started putting 12-year-olds back to work, businesses could save billions of dollars in labor costs and we could compete with China and India in the global economy.
U.S. corporations might start building factories in America once again. And with fewer children in school, we could cut the education budget by billions of dollars and give taxpayers money to spend on leisure activities, such as riverboat gambling.
It would be a win-win. Just suggesting another option for legislators to ponder.
On April 21st, let’s give the legislators some serious ideas to ponder. Plan to attend SOS Rally Day.