House OKs letting schools reduce week
SPRINGFIELD - Schools could shave a day off the school week to try to save money under legislation the Illinois House approved Monday.
The plan that passed 81-21 requires students still be taught the same number of total hours in a year, but would allow it over four days rather than five. The decision to cut a day would rest with the locally elected school boards, though the Illinois State Board of Education would maintain some oversight authority.
Local boards would be required to have public hearings on reducing the school week. State Rep. Bill Black, a Danville Republican and the plan's sponsor, said 19 states already allow for reduced school weeks.
The measure still faces debate in the Illinois Senate and, if successful, Gov. Pat Quinn's scrutiny.
Black brought the proposal to Springfield at the behest of a small, rural downstate district trying to save transportation and utility costs. He said the state is months behind in reimbursing the school for transportation costs, local fuel providers can't afford to carry the school much longer and officials are running out of options.
The plan had widespread support among suburban lawmakers, too.
State Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican, called it a "creative alternative for local districts."
She said the end result could be students getting more done during longer days and then having a nice long weekend.
But critics said the idea shortchanged school kids in the name of saving a few bucks.
"I think it is tragic when we try to balance the budget of the state of Illinois on the backs of our babies," said state Rep. Monique Davis, a Chicago Democrat, who said the change "just isn't worth it."
Others questioned what parents would do for child care. Supporters said parents already cope with summer vacations and breaks.
Black reminded lawmakers that there could be no reduction in classroom hours and the decision would be local.
How they votedThe Illinois House voted 81-21 to let local school districts go to four-day school weeks to try to save money. The total number of classroom hours could not be reduced. The proposal now goes to the Illinois Senate.Local representatives voting "yes":Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Palatine Republican; Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills Republican; Robert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst Republican; Linda Chapa LaVia, Aurora Democrat; Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican; Michael Connelly, Lisle Republican; Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat; Tom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader); Keith Farnham, Elgin Democrat; Jack D. Franks, Woodstock Democrat; Paul Froehlich, Schaumburg Democrat; Kay Hatcher, Yorkville Republican; Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican; Emily McAsey, Lockport Democrat; JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican; Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican; Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican; Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican; Darlene Senger, Naperville Republican; Carol Sente, Vernon Hills Democrat; Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein RepublicanLocal representatives voting "no":Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat; Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican; Mark Walker, Arlington Heights DemocratAbsent or not voting:Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican; Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican; Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican; Randy Ramey, Carol Stream Republican; Timothy L. Schmitz, Batavia Republican; Eddie Washington, Waukegan DemocratSource: Illinois House roll call, HB 4886