Shorter Work Week, Equal Work

Bisbee Unified School District is one of a growing number of agencies in the country that is trying out the four-day work week.

AZPM

The tough economy and cutbacks from the state are forcing school districts to find ways to save money, and the Bisbee Unified School District is one of a growing number of agencies in the country that is trying out the four-day work week.

The district adopted a longer Monday to Thursday school day last year, and everyone officially has Fridays off although sports teams and other groups may still meet occasionally. By going to the four-day week and closing one of its four schools, the district hopes to save about $500,000 from its annual budget.

And while some people are enjoying the extra day off, teachers say it is somewhat misleading since they still have to put in the same number of hours to get their work done. “It’s much more complicated than what everybody is talking about, it is, it’s much more. And of course everybody goes yeah, it’s wonderful, it’s great, I have three days off but, in essence, if you’re doing the things you should be doing in the classroom you really need that fifth day to be doing all that kind of stuff you need to be doing," says Penelope Levario, a high school teacher.

The students we spoke to have mixed feelings about the shorter school week and superintendent Jim Phillips says it's not something he would have chosen if the district had better funding. "It’s unfortunate. I don’t believe it’s the right thing and it’s only for economics. I don’t think most of us in education would support the advantages educationally, not at all. It just may be an economic necessity like when they say you have to tighten your belt, you have to do what you have to do to survive, " he says.

The district says it is gathering information such as actual savings, test scores and attendance before beginning hearings early next year on whether to keep the shorter school week or try to go back to the traditional full week. However, if expected funding is any indication, superintendent Jim Phillips says more districts may have to follow Bisbee's example, since the state is already warning them about the likelihood of additional cutbacks. They would join over 100 school districts across the country, most in Western states.