I write to clarify my stance on the four-day week and to complete the report of the Cook County School Board’s action on this topic. As I’ve said to many individuals, I can see the positive effects of a four-day week, including academic improvement, if carefully planned and executed (and I believed this would have happened).
However, after hearing serious concerns, by the night of the board meeting I felt, as did Chairman Huggins, that we needed to slow the process.
Because I hoped we could be more inclusive and build trust with those who couldn’t believe in this concept, I made the motion that
the School Board take a month to
reframe our approach to approve
the four-day week on a conditional
basis.
During that month I thought administration would meet with concerned parents and determine what “conditions” need to be satisfied before the concept could meet final approval. Only Huggins and I supported this motion, so it was defeated on a 3-2 vote.
I am not upset. I know my proposal was “too little, too late.” We are moving on and will focus our energies on improvement in academics and other areas. The board will be revisiting its goals and working on passage of a referendum. Please contact us with any questions, ideas, or concerns. In closing I give a strong “second” to Eric Kemp’s statement of confidence in our superintendent, Beth Schwarz.
Mary Sanders
Grand Marais
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