Senate defeats four-day school week option

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Senate defeated an attempt this week to let school districts hold class four days a week. But senators ordered a study of whether students should be allowed to enroll in a school district of their choosing.

Both issues were part of a larger bill that revises the way casino revenue is distributed to schools in light of last year's repeal of loss limits at Missouri casinos, and creates a mechanism for spending federal stimulus funds for school construction. The bill received first-round approval Thursday.

Sen. Brad Lager, who offered the four-day school week measure, said many rural districts are interested in the option as a way to save on fuel and utilities. Schools that adopt a four-day instruction week typically lengthen their hours on days they are in session.

Lager said no new school calendar would be approved without rigorous local debate.

"This is about allowing local boards to decide what is best for their community," said Lager, R-Savannah.

A similar measure had previously cleared the House. But the Senate defeated Lager's amendment 16-13 Wednesday, with some expressing concern it could hurt educational quality.

The Senate also agreed to have lawmakers study whether to let families choose the public school district they want their children to attend, rather than the traditional system of having students attend schools in the district where they live.