By Leo Shane III
Gannett Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - The Ohio House passed a bill Thursday that lets school districts go to a four-day week.

Under current state law, districts must offer classes five days a week, 182 days a year.

The House-passed legislation shifts the educational calendar to an hour-based schedule, allowing districts to choose the length of their school days, the number of days they will meet and how to make up time lost to bad weather.

Elementary schools would be required to offer 910 hours of instructional time each year, while middle and high schools would offer 1,001 hours.

Bill sponsor Rep. Thom Collier, R-Mount Vernon, said the measure gives district administrators the flexibility to adjust their academic calendar based on local needs.

"Most districts meet for more than enough hours, but the trouble comes under the number of days," he said. "This is just common sense."

No southwest Ohio schools have publicly advocated a four-day week. Pat Kimble, superintendent of Adams County/Ohio Valley Schools, said his district has not had any serious discussions about a four-day school week.

"There is a concern on my part about making our present school day longer than it already is," Kimble said. "Most of our students are in house around seven hours a day as it is now. I wouldn't say that we wouldn't consider it, but we're not ready to give it serious consideration at this point."

Kimble said he'd worry that a four-day week would interrupt the continuity of instruction, as well as make students and staff put in longer days in non-air conditioned buildings.

Collier doubts many schools will opt for the four-day weeks.

"But if a school district chooses to operate under a four-day schedule, it's their choice," he said. "It will be used only when it's in the best interest of the district."

In the six other states that allow flexible scheduling, only 108 districts have shifted to the shorter week. Studies show attendance is higher in those schools than at five-day week buildings, while academic performance is comparable.

The bill, which passed the House 81-13, will need Senate approval and Gov. Bob Taft's signature before it can become law.

Enquirer reporter Cindy Kranz contributed.