Report from the Legislature: Mom, Can we move to Florida?

I know the talk of the town this morning is that Charlie Crist was on MTP, but have yall looked at your newspapers this morning?

The Orlando Sentinel- and a few others- are running a story about a 4 day school week. For real. State Sen. Evelyn Lynn, a Republican representing Daytona Beach, has introduced a bill- a real bill- that would allow for this.

Florida law says that kids need to be in school 180 days a year. Lynn's bill would remove the day requirement, making it instead an hourly requirement. So, as long as kids are in school the same number of hours- making for fewer, but longer school days- then all is good. The argument is that this would allow schools to cut back on utilities as well as cut back on other expenditures- like school bus drivers- associated with a 5 day week.

Rep. Kurt Kelly, R-Ocala, is sponsoring the bill in the House. He said it would not force districts to switch to a four-day week but would give them "another tool in their toolbox" to meet budget shortfalls. Gee, thanks Kurt. You're another tool in a toolbox.

Nevermind that Florida has one of the worst school systems in the United States. Nevermind that the United States already has one of the shortest school years in the world- and an education system whose quality reflects that. Nevermind that all the Leg is doing is making parents foot the bill for childcare on that 5th day.

At least every other kid in the country is going to ask their parents if they can actually move to Florida, not just vacation at Disney World this year?