Franklin County Schools considering 4-day school week

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Franklin County School District is considering switching to a four-day school week by adding an extra 30 to 45 minutes to the daily schedule.

The district has formed a committee, which has sent out surveys to parents and the community to hear their thoughts

District officials say this switch could benefit students, staff, and the community.

Officials say the response has been in favor of the idea.

“We’re in the business of educating students,” said Franklin County School’s Superintendent Steve Lanier, " We have to take into consideration everybody’s concerns. Once we get all the information in, we hold our town hall meetings, we hear what the public has to say, then we will make the determination if we are going to go forward with it or not.”

Lanier says that the change will benefit the students.

“We think it will improve our graduation rate,” said Laneir “We think it will improve our absentee rate, it will give our students an opportunity to have an off-day to spend more time with family, or to possibly catch up on some of their schoolwork, or even to have the opportunity to work.”

Lanier said he hopes that if made official, the schedule change, along with an increase in staff pay, will help with teacher recruitment.

“Our Goal for the four-day school week, and for the teacher pay increase is to get highly qualified teachers in to teach our students because it’s all about the students,” Lanier adds.

The main concern is childcare during the extra day off for parents who work Monday through Friday.

The district will hear from the public during town hall meetings held in Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and Apalachicola starting in April.

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