HCS HB 242 -- FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK

SPONSOR:  Wallace (Kingery)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elementary
and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 2.

This substitute allows school districts to establish a four-day
week upon a majority vote of the school board.  The number of
required hours in a school year remains at 1,044, but the number
of days will be 142 rather than 174.  Provisions regarding a
district that fails to meet certain performance standards and the
make-up of days lost to inclement weather are specified in the
substitute.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Income on General Revenue Fund of $0 to
$30,859,350 in FY 2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that 17 states have adopted the
four-day-week option, which helps lower transportation and
utility costs, as well as having a positive effect on attendance.
Child care has not been a problem.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Kingery; Penney
Rector, School Administrators' Coalition; and Missouri State
Teachers Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say flexibility by
building and for special education schedules is important, but is
not addressed in the bill.

Testifying on the bill were Missouri School Boards' Association;
and Missouri National Education Association.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am