School Lengthening Too Pricey for AL Schools

Education officials facing budgets with million dollar shortfalls say they simply can't afford the President's suggestion of lengthening school days.

By: Christian Stapleton | WKRG-TV
Published: October 04, 2009

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Alabama officials say the state can't afford
to enforce President Barack Obama's suggestion of lengthening the
school day.
President Obama says that children should spend more time in
school to make U.S. education globally competitive.
State Superintendent Joe Morton says it's a good idea, but the
timing is bad.
Four years ago, Alabama increased its school year from 175 days
to 180. That cost $90 million including higher teacher salaries.
But since then, Alabama schools have cut millions of dollars
from their budgets amid falling tax revenues and a struggling
economy. A longer day would cost more.
For example, every school day costs $720,000 in Baldwin County
alone.