Post by refbasics on Mar 22, 2010 20:55:38 GMT -6
March 22, 2010
www.suntimes.com/news/politics/2117024,house-bill-four-day-school-week-032210.article#
BY STEVE CONTORNO Sun-Times Springfield Bureau
SPRINGFIELD — The House moved Monday to allow local school boards to change to a four-day school week in an effort to save costs.
Though the bill passed 81-21, there was considerable opposition from some Chicago Democrats who questioned whether parents would be able to care for their children on the new off day.
“We are balancing our budget on the backs of our babies,” said Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago).
But Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville), the bill’s chief House sponsor, said Chicago wouldn’t be affected unless the Chicago Board of Education approved the changes, which he thought was unlikely.
“These are strange and difficult times that many of us are going through,” Black said. “I understand the problems of child care. I can’t imagine any school board who would not take everything in consideration before taking this dramatic step.”
Requirements for how long students must remain in school per week won’t change, however, schools will be able to save money on daily operating costs such as utilities and transportation. Busses have become increasingly costly for Downstate schools with long routes for picking up students.
“We’re in a fiscal crisis the likes of which we’ve never seen, and if you want to do this for a short period of time to save money, then we should let school districts do it,” Black said, adding that he plans on amending the bill so it ends after three years.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
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increasing bussing costs... they should talk to our school district to see how we 'solved' that dilemma
www.suntimes.com/news/politics/2117024,house-bill-four-day-school-week-032210.article#
BY STEVE CONTORNO Sun-Times Springfield Bureau
SPRINGFIELD — The House moved Monday to allow local school boards to change to a four-day school week in an effort to save costs.
Though the bill passed 81-21, there was considerable opposition from some Chicago Democrats who questioned whether parents would be able to care for their children on the new off day.
“We are balancing our budget on the backs of our babies,” said Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago).
But Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville), the bill’s chief House sponsor, said Chicago wouldn’t be affected unless the Chicago Board of Education approved the changes, which he thought was unlikely.
“These are strange and difficult times that many of us are going through,” Black said. “I understand the problems of child care. I can’t imagine any school board who would not take everything in consideration before taking this dramatic step.”
Requirements for how long students must remain in school per week won’t change, however, schools will be able to save money on daily operating costs such as utilities and transportation. Busses have become increasingly costly for Downstate schools with long routes for picking up students.
“We’re in a fiscal crisis the likes of which we’ve never seen, and if you want to do this for a short period of time to save money, then we should let school districts do it,” Black said, adding that he plans on amending the bill so it ends after three years.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
-----------------------------------
increasing bussing costs... they should talk to our school district to see how we 'solved' that dilemma
