Jeffers considers four-day week for winter months.
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PAINESDALE -- Stephenson and Republic have already done it, and recently Ewen-Trout Creek discussed making the switch to a four-day school week.
Now Jeffers Middle/High school in Painesdale is considering cutting costs by shortening the school week for 9 to 10 weeks during the winter.
Superintendent Pat Rozich is looking for a way to save money as fuel oil costs continue to rise. The Adams Township school administrator says that's what is used to heat the 100 year old, three story building.
The school board is looking to switch from fuel oil to propane at a special meeting this Thursday, but it might not be enough. Rozich says he might recommend the school go to a four-day week in the winter. The schedule at the elementary school wouldn't change.
"The approximate cost savings would be about $1,200 a day," said Rozich. "And most of that would be in support staff, who wouldn't be working."
The four-day switch would mean students would start the day five minutes earlier, at 8:10, and end 15 minutes later, at 3:25.
Rozich said a summer survey of parents showed 65 percent support the idea. But they do want a month's notice, so they can make plans for the supervision. And he's also aware that kids need a safe place to go while their parents are at work. As he considers this four-day week, he says he might be able to provide it at the school.
"They (parents) can actually send their child where there will be an adult in charge," he said. "There will be recreation available, there will be studying available."
Still, Rozich says a four-day week is a last resort. He's still not sure if it's necessary, once the school switches to propane from fuel oil. If it is, the board should decide before December if the 7th-12th graders get a three-day weekend from January to March.
