The Liberty County School Board has scheduled two Town Hall meetings to invite public input on a proposal to adopt a four-day school week to save money, minimize job cuts and preserve programs.

The first meeting will be held Thursday, March 17 at Tolar School. The second is scheduled for Friday, March 18 at Hosford School. Both will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The new schedule would mean an overall savings of $225,000, according to Liberty County School Superintendent Sue Summers. Schools are facing massive cuts if Gov. Rick Scott’s budget is approved.

“If we go to a four-day work week, teachers will work the same number of hours but will have longer days,” Summers explains. Teachers would probably work from 7:45 a.m. until 5:05 p.m. while students would likely begin classes at 8 a.m. and end their day at 4:30 p.m.

The biggest disadvantage is that many parents would have to make arrangements for childcare on that extra day. “We’re hoping that some of our parents that work with the state could get some flex-time,” says Summers, who suggests that high school students could use their days off to babysit and churches might expand programs for children.

“We’re going to see if our 21st Century Program could run all day Friday,” Summers says. That could happen if changes are made in the grant request for next year. The federally-funded program is designed to increase academic opportunities for at-risk students and includes tutoring as well as arts, educational and recreational activities.

She also expressed concern on the effect the longer day would have on younger students and said that frequent breaks would need to be built into their daily schedule.

“If we don’t go to a four-day work week, some very valuable programs would have to be cut, including art, music, middle school athletics and ROTC,” according to the superintendent. “Without the change, teachers would have to take furlough time and others will be hit because they will have to contribute to their retirement if the Senate Bill goes through,” she adds.

Summers says teachers are excited about the idea. This week they will hear what the parents and students think about the proposal.