Four-day school weeks are still up for debate

Intro: Thank God it's Thursday may be the new phrase for Missouri students if legislators approve a bill that would allow Missouri school boards to adopt four-day school weeks.

Lauren Stenzel (STEN-zul)has more from Jefferson City.

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The House Education Committee approved the bill on Wednesday, and referred it to the House Rules Committee.

Republican Representative Maynard Wallace said Democratic Representative Sara Lampe, who voted against the bill, needs to look at the big picture.

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Description: I think she probably had some concerns about achievement. One of the things she stated was that we were looking at the business part of it more than we were the educational part, and that's true. But, in reality we have to have schools that can afford to operate.

The bill is expected to pass through the Rules Committee and move to the House floor next week.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Stenzel.

Intro: Students may get shorter school weeks, but some law makers are concerned this means there will be less time for learning.

Lauren Stenzel (STEN-zel) has more from Jefferson City.

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A House Education Committee voted on a bill that would allow Missouri school boards to have four-day school weeks.

Republican Representative Gayle Kingery said the bill would give schools the ability to reduce costs of transportation, maintenance, and heating.

Kingery said in order to meet state seat time requirements, school days would have to be lengthened to eight hours.

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Description: Seven and a half hours over a hundred and forty-two days gives you a 1,068 hours. Right now we're required to have 1,044 by statue. So that exceeds that.

Democratic Representative Sarah Lampe voted against the bill because she said it would interfere with student achievement.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Stenzel.

Intro: A House Education Committee approved a bill that would decrease the amount schools spend on transportation, utilities, and maintenance.

Lauren Stenzel (STEN-zel) has more from Jefferson City.

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Missouri school boards are one step closer to having the option to adopt four-day school weeks.

Republican Representative Maynard Wallace, said the measure will help schools save money to survive the current economic situation.

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Description: And last summer when fuel prices were hitting four dollar and fifty cents a gallon I thought gee whiz we waited too long to hear this bill and put it through. And, as chairman of the committee, I told Mr. Kingery that we'd hear his bill early on and, you know it's an option.

The bill was designed for rural schools that have high transportation costs.

Opponents of the bill say it would hinder student's educational experience.

From the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Stenzel.