41NBC WMGT-DT

Peach County School Board Considering 5 Day School Week

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - Peach County School Board is once again exploring the option of moving back to a 5 day school week. For the past three years, the schools have only been open from Tuesday through Friday.

"We're concerned about when we're out for those three days and that's what I hear from parents as well as teachers," says Superintendent Joe Ann Denning.

The success of her students is at the top of her and the school boards agenda, but the four day school week may be hindering the goals of the Peach County School system. "The retention would be better because there is some regression when you close down for three days and have to come back and start over," says Denning.

That's just one reason the school board is considering moving back to a five day school week. School Board Chairman Jamie Johnson says cutting down on costs was the main reason to cut down on days.

"What we're learning now is that we're not really saving as much as we thought we were, so that's the reason why we're looking at it again this year."

It's an annual process, but this year Denning says, there's a little more excitement swirling around the potential change.

"County officials, both Byron as well as Fort Valley, they're applauding when we say we're considering going back to look at the five day week."

Principal Bruce Mackey, supports the board's decision either way but, he says four days isn't hurting classroom performance in Peach County High School.

"Our teachers are extremely conscientious of their work day... and our students just like anybody else they've adjusted to it over the long haul."

Extending the week, or keeping it the same, isn't a decision that's shaken this community.

"There's been no real disgruntled people up here saying you gotta go back to the four day week, or stay with the four day week or go with the five day week," says Denning.

Superintendent Denning says they are getting started on the process immediately. That includes taking a detailed look at the cost to operate the schools an extra day, and also transporting the the students there.

The board will make a decision at the next Study Session, February 28th, or by their first board meeting of the month on March 6th.