School Lengthening Too Pricey for AL Schools

Education Obama Education officials facing budgets with million dollar shortfalls say they simply can't afford the President's suggestion of lengthening school days.
by Associated Press
Published: Sun, October 04, 2009 - 2:46 pm CST Last Updated: Sun, October 04, 2009 - 2:55 pm CST
MOBILE, Alabama - Alabama officials say the state can't afford
to enforce President Barack Obama's suggestion of lengthening the
school day.
President Obama says that children should spend more time in
school to make U.S. education globally competitive.
State Superintendent Joe Morton says it's a good idea, but the
timing is bad.
Four years ago, Alabama increased its school year from 175 days
to 180. That cost $90 million including higher teacher salaries.
But since then, Alabama schools have cut millions of dollars
from their budgets amid falling tax revenues and a struggling
economy. A longer day would cost more.
For example, every school day costs $720,000 in Baldwin County
alone.
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mob1 Says:
Mon, Oct 05, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Obama knows the states can not afford this, he is not stupid. By pushing this on the schools will in turn cause the schools to come back to the Federal governemtn for more help. Eventually leading the way for a Federal take over of the public school systems.

Today State Run schools, Tomorrow Federally Ran schools.

SumOneILove Says:
Mon, Oct 05, 2009 at 8:56 am

Yes it is free babysitting.  A childs brain can only take so much in one day.

Mike x51
Mike x51 Says:
Mon, Oct 05, 2009 at 8:36 am

Bah, it’s not about spending more time in the class room for a better education.  It’s about free government ran baby sitting.  Haven’t you people figured out the Dems yet?

framkly Says:
Sun, Oct 04, 2009 at 10:39 pm

Exactly what does the President think the students need to know? Maybe whatever it is, the parents can pick up the slack.

lovepeace
lovepeace Says:
Sun, Oct 04, 2009 at 3:34 pm

That’s the no-brainer of the year.  We can’t afford the current setup.  And teachers are laughing their butts off at the idea of trying to keep kids’ attention longer than they already do.

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