LITTLEFORK — Littlefork-Big Falls students could be attending school four days a week as near as the 2009-2010 academic year, provided there is harmony among administration, the teachers union and the school community.
While aware of the intensive development that lies ahead, the board moved one step closer to a four-day school week at its meeting Wednesday when it decided to schedule meetings with teachers and an open forum with the public before Oct. 1.
Superintendent Fred Seybert has been researching the prospect and the bulk of information he presented to the board comes from the MACCRAY school district in west-central Minnesota, the only district in the state currently implementing the shortened academic week. There are 17 states with districts that execute a four-day week, according to Seybert.
Seybert said the principal at MACCRAY said there is no reported negative information about a four-day week. Quite the opposite exists with many reported positive benefits, he said.
Out in front is budget savings and the board is in agreement that with possible state reductions to come, shortening the school week would have more positive benefit than inevitable program cuts which would have a negative effect.
Other schools with a four-day week report reduced costs in transportation, electricity, fuel, food, and substitute teachers. Seybert said less subs are required due to the fact that regular staff (as well as students) have a free weekday for personal appointments.
Districts with students attending Tuesday through Friday show better attendance, higher test scores and less discipline problems; and longer class periods are more conducive to educating, reports have shown.
The final decision rests with the board and the MACCRAY principal said 80-percent support is the most to expect. Board member Doug Franz said that education comes first and foremost, and he and other board members stated that this plan will actually make things better.
Potential conflicts may arise with parents over day care, Seybert said. But other schools report that they were quickly resolved and schools held to their responsibility as educators, not day-care centers.
In other business, board member Keith Knaeble reported to the school board that there is disagreement between the L-BF Community Education Recreation Commission board and its director’s arbitrary decision to assess a $40 player fee for CERC elementary football and soccer games. Knaeble also reported that the board did not meet regularly. The school board told Knaeble that they were reluctant to dictate to the CERC while they agreed that the fee could be a deterrent for some families. Acknowledging an issue between the director and the board, Seybert was asked to call CERC board members.
L-BF celebrates homecoming Friday, with a parade at 2:30 p.m. and football game against Orr in the evening.

L-BF SCHOOL BOARD NEWS NOTES
• The L-BF school board approved work agreements with five Title I Aides; and the hiring of Marc Windsnes as a long-term substitute half-time social studies teacher. Also approved was Bonnie Kennedy as the concession manager.
• The L-BF board certified the proposed 2008 payable 2009 levy.
• L-BF Knowledge Bowl will continue and Greg Erickson and Tina Meyers have volunteered as advisors.
• L-BF school board member Anita Gray reported a very successful school nutrition committee meeting, with the idea proposed of a school garden being implemented and grown vegetables used in lunches.
• The purchase of a Life-Pak 1000 heart defibrillator has been authorized by L-BF and will be mounted with an alarm in an accessible school location for emergencies. Tom Donahou facilitated the purchase at a reduced cost of $1,700 for which the board expressed gratitude.