Should Vermont state offices and schools have a four-day work week?

As an educator and parent, I feel that this is not a positive solution to the problem. For schools it would mean either lengthening the school day or the school year. This means additional costs in child care for educators with young children. It also could mean the loss of summer programs---camps etc because the money and time will not be there. There has to be a better solution out there.

Perhaps elementary schools could continue with the same schedule but high school and perhaps middle school students could try a four day week. I would favor a longer day over a significantly longer school year-- hot weather would either necessitate expensive air conditioning or prove a serious distraction. (I understand that daycare would be problematic for parents who have younger children by the way, and am not sure the little ones would do well with really long days anyway. ) As for state offices, why not consider longer days, shorter work weeks and in some cases, more telecommuting?

As if keeping the attention span of many kids isn't difficult enough for a 7 hour day? Lets throw another wrench in the mix in the name of saving "a buck or two." The never ending lab-rats, we call our kids at the future cost of our nations success. And good grief, how about the parents that would need to incur the costs of daycare for their children? Who pays the taxes? The very people that will now have to incur the cost of daycare, on top of the tax rates that will continue to stay the same! Clearly a lack of thought was used before this proposal-- was proposed out loud. Honestly, do you believe it wouldn't already be in place for many other states if it were not a practical idea? Are you silly enough to believe this is an original thought from Vermont? I hope you're not. A -DUH- moment indeed folks. A moment that stands right next to leasing out the lottery for a "quick" fix. How about doing some homework and finding real solutions to difficult problems. Instead of taking the first snake-oil elixir that crosses our front step?

This is very short sighted. Schools, supporting infrastructure for schools, work schedules, etc. This is a massive cultural change and is not a solution until all employers provide their employees' this option to adjust their home/personal lives and care for children/elderly.etc Bad idea.

You don't think the Federal Government people get enough money and perks? they are able to give themselves raises and right off just about every thing under the sun. another DAY OFF? NO WAY!

If you go to 4 week school day, you will certainly have child care issue. It will also affect other business as you will force parents or relatives to take time off to watch kids on Friday’s. By the way, government and state official don’t work 8 hours, 5 days, 4 week schedule, anyway.

The first question to address is:is moving to a four day week educationally sound? I don't think so, but form a committee to look at the plusses and minuses. The devil is always in the details. At any given high school you have probably 50-75% of the student body involved in co-curricular activities. Let's say we go to a four day week. In our school, the day is 8:40 to 3:20 (South Burlington). Early dismissals are already problematic. Let's say we change the day to 8:40 to 5:00. Then go to football practice from 5:30-8:00. Have dinner and begin studying at 9:00. Study until midnight. Every time you have a game, you will need to leave school early. Start earlier than 8:40? South Burlington believes adolescent sleep deprivation is "real", and therefore opposed to an earlier start. My opinion is that a four day week is not a good idea.

Four Day work weeks are fine. BUT! The State employee's have to accomplish all 5 days of work in four. No excues. Heck you should have three days off, working four is just fine. Most of us are at work 10 hours plus now. BUT! More items need to be automated. Such as getting your license, registering your car and so forth. As for schools only 4 days a week, GREAT! Moral would improve. BUT! The studies have to change to rather than mundane task that we put the kids threw.

This country is so far behind it's sad. Of course it won't work americans are way too dumb to make it work....sad indeed. I was born in the US, so i'm not anti-american stating the obvious

A four day work week for state employees would allow for longer office openings and reduced time-off from work for the rest of us.

Children today already have overwhelming schedules, this length of day would hinder their development. Creating tired-overworked children is not the answer to our energy crisis.