by Jenny Smith
Friday, August 08, 2008
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From: "Dawna McDowell"
To: rgordon@craig.k12.va.us, sbostic@craig.k12.va.us,
jmcpherson@craig.k12.va.us, dstanley@craig.k12.va.us,
dbowman@craig.k12.va.us, scritzer@craig.k12.va.us
Subject: 4-Day Work Week
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 10:09:33 -0400
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(trying this again-- had to edit the word se*xy from the newspaper covera=
ge since the e-chalk filter was allergic to it=2E)
All,
Following my message is the text of an article on 4-day work weeks, point=
ed out to us in the VSBA Daily News for today=2E =20
In a regular office situation, I believe working 4x10 is a wonderful opti=
on for most people=2E This article, and most others that I read, portray=
4x10s in a positive light, and certainly it sounds good from the point o=
f saving energy and commute time=2E =20
However, in the context of schools there are many issues I have not seen =
adequately addressed=2E If we get to the point where we need to consider=
all options, I believe we will need to solicit significant public and pa=
rent input, as well as study research on the impact of longer school days=
on children's educational attainment and overall well-being=2E We don't=
want to fall prey to the Law of Unintended Consequences!
Dawna
Pros & cons of 4-day week
By Cortney Langley | The Virginia Gazette August 6, 2008=20
Nestled in all the economic gloom is a silver lining: the four-day work w=
eek=2E=20
Some businesses have had employees on a four-day schedule for years to im=
prove productivity=2E Now, with energy prices rising and localities looki=
ng for ways to cut greenhouse emissions, the idea is catching hold elsewh=
ere=2E=20
Utah is putting more than 15,000 state employees on four 10-hour days, an=
d Fairfax and Arlington counties in Virginia are considering the same=2E =
Suffolk Public Schools is thinking about cutting Fridays for both staff a=
nd students, while J=2E Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond w=
ill allow students to carry a full load while only attending on Fridays=2E=
=20
So what about here=3F=20
The public schools and governments already have some form of four-day wee=
k=2E In James City County, Human Resource manager Carol Luckam said staff=
ers can work a four-day week as long as services are fully covered all fi=
ve days within the departments=2E WJC Schools has given the administrativ=
e staff the option during the summer months, as has York County Schools=2E=
=20
Such programs differ from most of the municipal efforts gaining traction =
in that they arent mandated and mostly benefit the employee=2E We have th=
at option, but it wasnt set up specifically for saving gas or being green=
, Luckam said=2E=20
Williamsburg city manager Jack Tuttle said the city hasnt considered the =
idea of a four-day week=2E No, personally I think its a bad idea, he said=
=2E You dont get the same level of productivity in 40 hours over four day=
s as you do in 40 hours over five days=2E People wear out=2E=20
Data suggest the opposite=2E A report released last month by Brigham Youn=
g University researchers found that government employees who work a four-=
day week report higher productivity levels and a healthier balance betwee=
n work and home life=2E=20
The four-day week is terrific if it ends on a Thursday or starts on a Tue=
sday, but its impractical on at least one level=2E To really save energy =
and lower greenhouse gas emissions, entire buildings would have to be shu=
t down for the day, said James City County General Services manager John =
Horne, whos heading up an energy conservation committee=2E=20
Employees certainly use less fuel commuting to a four-day job=2E But, Hor=
ne added, You dont really know what the employee does on that day off=2E=20=
The roadblock to mandating a four-day week is how to spread out the work=2E=
Supervisor chairman Bruce Goodson said, It would concern me to have Code=
Compliance inspectors not available on Fridays or having customer servic=
e windows open only four days, he said=2E But I do think it warrants cons=
ideration=2E=20
There are family complications from adjusting to a 10-hour workday, espec=
ially for those who use public transportation or have children in day car=
e=2E=20
Instead of a wholesale schedule change, Hornes energy committee will focu=
s on small changes to heating and cooling systems, transportation options=
, lighting and computer use=2E=20
Its more the not-very-se*xy things you learn as you go along, Horne said=2E=
If you change the setting on the water heater, it can result in signific=
ant savings over time=2E=20
Dawna Clephas McDowell, School Board Member
Potts Mountain District
Craig County Public Schools
P=2EO=2E Box 245
New Castle, VA 24127
PHONE: 540=2E864=2E5191
FAX: 540=2E864=2E6885
CELL: 540=2E580=2E9370
Dawna Clephas McDowell, School Board Member
Potts Mountain District
Craig County Public Schools
P=2EO=2E Box 245
New Castle, VA 24127
PHONE: 540=2E864=2E5191
FAX: 540=2E864=2E6885
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