4-day school week gets no support from board

The idea of a four-day school week as a way to save energy costs has little support on the Inter-Lakes School Board.
The issue was briefly discussed at last Tuesday's meeting of the Inter-Lakes board as a possibility discussed by other school districts.
Other school districts, such as the Governor Wentworth School District and Shaker Regional School District, have previously discussed the possibility of extending the school day for extra time and having a four-day week in hopes of saving money with high fuel costs.
Superintendent Phil McCormack said he had spoken with some other superintendents when the issue was discussed, hearing that some other districts do not consider the change to be "educationally sound."
"That would raise absolute havoc with the co-curricular schedule," said Board Chair Jack Carty.
"These types of schedules can really interrupt people's homes and create needs," said board member Howard Cunningham.
Board member Julian Shlager said he recalled the gas shortage in 1973 when the heat was turned off in certain areas of school buildings and concern arose over the potential for pipes bursting.
The district's heating systems were recently replaced by systems which lower heating oil and electricity consumption. Honeywell installed a solar panel to supplement the hot water system, reducing oil consumption. Energy management systems were also installed to optimize energy consumption as well as new ventilation, carbon dioxide and temperature controls and high-efficiency lighting. The company also installed motors with variable frequency drives, occupancy light sensors, building exterior upgrades and fuel oil preheaters. All of these improvements have been meant to reduce energy consumption and make the system more efficient. Last winter, district records showed the district's average daily heating costs were down 39 percent with the installation of the system. Carty mentioned the revamped system and said turning the heat down in school buildings might be one of the best ways to keep a handle on costs. Possibly starting in the fall, the heat could be slightly turned down to acclimate people inside the building to a possible "68 in the classroom instead of 74."

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