I’m not suprised that the Governor’s Ed Commissioner told Two Harbors “NO” on their plan for a four day school week. It wouldn’t have been the first Minnesota School District in the state to implement one but the others were approved before the Governor’s presidential ambitions got the best of him. A run on four-day school weeks could put a damper on his Presidential ambitions.
George W Bush ran in 2000 on his record of education reform in Texas – the one that led to the unpopular NCLB. The warts in his plan weren’t so obvious at the outset but four-day weeks would be as disconcerting as a thumbless hand shake.
Just why Two Harbors applied to shorten their school week is open to speculation. Certainly their building of a high school that led disgruntled voters into slapping down operational levies is a big part of the explanation. That was their miscalculation but there are other things they could do to keep the convenient five-day school week for parents working five day weeks themselves.
There might have been a touch of finger pointing in the request, “You’re not funding us fairly so you Governor, drove us to this!” After passing the buck to Pawlenty his Education Commissioner passed it to Two Harbors back saying in effect: “Don’t blame us for your Statutory Operating Debt.”
The quotes are both imagined but probably closer to what both sides are actually thinking.
And note to Ralph Doty who claimed the State Board of Education didn’t have the power to stop the Red Plan. Sure, this isn’t quite the same as a review and comment on a building plan but it shows the long hand of the state. Ralph was absolutely wrong to insist that Commissioner Seagren didn’t have the power to pull the plug on the Red Plan.
The Trib reported that the Superintendent was stunned. Big deal. He’ll only have to cut another 4 or 5 teachers to make up the quarter million the four day week was supposed to deliver! Maybe he can threaten the state with the school district’s lawyers to swat away this challenge. Its a tactic he’s fond of.
Duluth’s school board had a four day school week up for discussion recently. They chickened out but as the District continues to sink into the pits look for the idea to reemerge.
If Dr. Dixon isn’t looking to bail out of Duluth he’s a brave man.
