* Some Republicans are already worrying that John Kasich's cocky attitude may backfire. Ohio GOP members are quietly hoping that Kasich turns it down a notch or two because people will tire of a braggadocious person very quickly.
* Are some Ohio school districts considering the possibility of shortening the school day to save money? According to ThisWeekCommunityNewspapers, it is just one idea districts are studying to cut the budget:
Marysville Exempted Village School District administrators are studying the length of the school day and assessing whether shortening it is a viable means of reducing costs.
Superintendent Larry Zimmerman told board members at last Monday's board meeting that the length of the school day is one of many measures that are under evaluation as the district continues to work to control costs....
....Zimmerman said the district runs about 1,300 classroom hours in a school year, and the Ohio Department of Education minimum requirement is 900.....
With cuts in education, more districts are trying out the four day school week. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists some of the states that have tried a four day school week:
With strapped state budgets and alluring promises of significant reductions in overhead and transportation costs, the four-day school week has been an increasingly attractive option for legislators seeking to cut education costs. For small, remote school districts, instituting a four-day school week may provide a savings by reducing transportation, heating, and staff costs. Supporters of the shortened week also boast of improved morale and increased attendance (by both students and teachers), open Fridays for sporting events and doctor appointments, and more time to spend with loved ones. Opponents of the four-day school week cite problems with long, exhausting class days and finding day care for children whose parents work outside the home. Additionally, educational experts worry longer weekends could lead to a regression in learned concepts while also making it more difficult to offer elective classes. However, the jury is still out on many of these issues, as there is a lack of comprehensive studies.
According to data collected by NCSL and the Education Commission of the States:
-Nineteen states currently have school districts (with schools) operating on a four-day week.
-These states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
-There are more than 120 school districts that host four-day school week programs.
-Usually, these programs are in small, rural districts.
-The policy was first implemented as early as the 1930s, and became more common during the energy crisis of the 1970s.
-Washington is the most recent state to adopt legislation allowing four-day school weeks.....
Will Ohio join the four day school week?