Next year kids at Apache Junction schools will have every Friday off. The district voted to go to a four-day school week Tuesday night.
The change will save the district about $150,000 a year on food service, transportation and utilities. Superintendent Chad Wilson said the district plans to address the problem of child care for parents who work five days a week. He is considering a fee-based day care program for kids on Fridays.
“One of the things that’s important in that option is that that the program be cost neutral to the district,” he said. “Because, again, part of the solution for the four-day work week is there is a cost savings to the district.”
Wilson said this measure is the result of several years of budget cuts. The school board also voted to close one of the district’s elementary schools to save money.
Wilson said another reason the district is going to a four-day week is to incentivize and retain teachers. The four-day week will start next school year.
