Glen Ellyn Dist. 41 board to vote on longer school day Monday

Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 is one step closer to a longer school day.

The district's teachers union has approved a plan to add 35 minutes to the day for elementary students. The proposal, which calls for the school day to run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will go to the school board Monday for final approval.

The day currently runs from 9 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

Officials say the change will offer time during the school day for collaboration and planning for teachers and more uninterrupted blocks of time for instruction in literacy, math, science and social studies.

Superintendent Paul Gordon said the district has been discussing the idea of adding more time to the school day for several years. He said the latest proposal wasn't made public until recently because it was part of negotiations with the Glen Ellyn Education Association, the union representing the teachers.

"Any time it's negotiations, it is done between the two bodies," he said. "It is not a public conversation."

But some district community members say they would like more details about the proposed change.

"Yes, there's a contract negotiation that's confidential where you don't discuss the particulars about how much you're going to pay the teachers for the extended day," parent Mary Campagna said. "But they can definitely share with the parents what their vision is for the longer day. I don't think that's a private negotiation thing."