The idea of moving to a four-day work week keeps stunning and confusing the masses of the Lakeland Community.
An email was sent out to staff and students on Feb 6, holding a survey on whether they would want to have this schedule. Moving the starting day to August 24th and ending day June 10th.
Potentially moving to this schedule would require school to start at 7:15am and ending at 2:40pm, cutting Friday from the work week.
Last year, polling results showed that approximately 67 percent of parents were in favor of this change in direction.
I believe the reason this idea of a four-day work week keeps occurring is because it is such a big decision that is constantly understood. If this decision goes through, it will affect the businesses around the area, and could potentially affect the work week of parents.
Although kids not having a place to go on Fridays brought up a point of concern. Sure, partnering with low-cost child supervision service may be an option, though it will cost parents, even if the cost is close to $15 a month some families could potentially struggle with that.
The 67 percent of parents is a large factor in deciding, but what do the students think?
“Personally, I would rather not go to a four day work week,” Sydney McDonald said. “I wouldn’t want that day to slack off,”
I completely understand that. The week would feel slower and more sluggish due to the day being longer. How the bell schedule will be divided has not been mentioned.
Either case, longer periods, or a whole new period would lead to more work, and not more time to do the work. Due dates would be sped up for all students, but would hit the college class students especially hard.
A point that was brought up in discussion with peers, is that it will greatly affect sport schedules, and getting out later. Student athletes would be forced to potentially skip out on work, and could lead to a choice… Money or sports?
All this is speculation of course, but it’s all important. It’s a big decision that must be made over the course of weeks, with plenty of research and development.
