By Jasmine Franklin
Beginning in September, students in the Wolf Creek Public School division could be getting every second Friday off.
Talks of a nine-in-10 day school system have begun for the division said superintendent Larry Jacobs. The idea was prompted by a list of options to help cut down the division’s spending costs. Closing the school every second Friday would result in canceling buses that cost the school division $17,000 per day to operate.
“Right now this is just a proposed idea. We are simply talking about it and exploring ideas,” Jacobs said. “Students will not lose time (should the decision go through), it just compresses it.”
In the end, Jacobs said there would be 15 Fridays that would become used for professional development among the faculty. To make up for time, student lunch hours and breaks may be shortened to compensate.
“The beauty of it is that this system would allow us to save money but also give our teachers time to collaborate,” Jacobs said. “It’s a nice blend of saving money with the opportunity for us to get together as a division.”
The decision would save about $500,000 per year in the $75 million budget. But before it is set in stone, Jacobs said there discussions will be held involving school and parent councils. A proposal will be drawn up for the school board who will make the final call.
Administrative talks were scheduled for this afternoon and Jacobs said the verdict would not be determined for at least one month.