Couldn't the union mean that the last 30 minutes of the day are less effective and learning-conducive than at earlier times? Obviously, they would need some sort of research to back this up as well, but it seems to make sense. It is not as if class hours are being cut down from their current state, and I don't think an extra 30 minutes is going to make a significant dent in the district's problems and scores. I don't think it's fair to say that the union is effectively saying classtime is worthless because they reject the added half hour--you could just as easily say "why don't we keep the kids in class all day long if amount of time (regardless of time of day)in class always equals better learning?" Why don't you stay in your office from 9 AM until very late at night--would that mean you would absolutely get as much work done towards the end of the day than you do in the morning? It's hard to know where to draw the line, but it seems to be somewhere around 2:30--where it already exists! I don't work in the district office, but it seems that focus should be placed elsewhere in order to increase test scores, including further support to teachers and better research to back up their demands. From experience in the classroom and kid's camps, I think the little ones max out towards the end of the day--enough to make the added 30 minutes a strange weapon against low test scores and public scrutiny.

Normally I would think that students would benefit from 30 more minutes of instructional time with their teachers.

But, as the union boss, Moore is much more familiar with FUSD teachers than I am, so maybe he knows something I don't know.

how about 30 min. of music or art?

Have you posted the letter from Mike Hansen to the FUSD teachers anywhere? I had a chance to read it and was very impressed with his thoughtful and rational approach.

Response frm Jim Boren; We plan to get the letter posted.

In fairness to Moore and the FTA, though, they are in the midst of negotiating for a new contract. This may be just a bargaining position that can be conceded in favor of some other concessions. That's the way the process usually works.

I'm a FUSD teacher. I personally don't object to extending the day, but we should be compensated for it.

Every year, I have sacrificed my break times, lunch times, and my after-school prep times to help my students improve their academics. Some showed more progress than others, but all did have some gains academically. I would love to have back my break times and prep times just for me. But I don't know that 30 minutes would be enough. FUSD wants our CST scores to be comparable to CUSD. Their school day goes until 3:00 PM. Adding 30 minutes to our day only brings us to 2:40 PM.

What I do know is that I'm tired of sacrificing my time and money without compensation. Not givng us our due shows lack of professional courtesy and respect.

I'm finally experiencing teacher burnout after 10 years. Not because of the students, but because of the district.

It sure would be informative for the tax payers to have the rate of pay, list of benefits,paid holidays, paid days off, sick leave, daily hours worked, yearly schedule of work days and an idea of off hours work needed for teachers to do their job. We really don't know the whole story. Most of what we know is almost 50% of the state budget goes to education and that the results are abysmal, teachers are unhappy, it's the parents fault,school infrastructures are in bad shape.Would 100% of the budget fix this?