The State Board of Education won't be very lenient in allowing school districts to shorten their week.

The board unanimously approved a statement to warn school districts they should have a good reason for asking to change to a four-day school week. It will only consider waiver requests in "the most extreme circumstances of distance, isolation and small school size."

Meanwhile, more school districts in neighboring Idaho are looking at the four-day week option to save money.

Utah districts need State School Board permission, but the decision to switch to a four-day week in Idaho rests with local school boards.

Two charter schools and 14 school districts in that state are now on a four-day week.

Gooding and Valley school districts, in south-central Idaho, are considering it to cut costs. The two districts are rural but not isolated, said Mark Browning, chief communications and legislative officer for the Idaho State Board of Education.

Browning added that the districts keep the best interest of students in mind, but "if it can help districts make ends meet in these difficult times, they will take a look at it."

During the past year, Utah's board granted permission for the rural Rich School District, in the northeast part of the state, to continue its four-day week. The district is in its third year of piloting the program.

Also getting the green light were the isolated Boulder School in Garfield School District, and Tabiona Elementary School and Tabonia High School in Duchesne School District.

"These are exceptional cases. We don't want it to become the norm," said State School Board member Cannon of Salt Lake City.

Cannon, a member of the board's Law and Policy Committee, said the board isn't likely to rescind its four-day statement just because Idaho has allowed more flexibility.

Board member Denis Morrill, of Taylorsville, said the board's statement is a floodgate deterrent. "We don't want people putting a lot of energy into requesting this when we're just going to say no," he said.

Rich District Superintendent Dale Lamborn said the four-day week is working great for his schools so far. Fridays are eliminated while the school day is lengthened to meet the 990-hour state school year requirement.

The shortened week helps reduce absences, often due to distant travel for extracurricular activities. Previously students would miss several classes or whole days of school for athletic events. Now all games are scheduled on Thursday nights, Fridays and Saturdays.

The program eliminates one day of busing each week, a weekly $1,500 savings to the district.

Lamborn says he believes the four-day program succeeds in rural areas but may not have the same benefits in urban districts. City districts generally have shorter bus routes. In addition, child care on Fridays may be a challenge for many parents.

---

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com