DISCUSSION: Should SPS, Lincoln-Sudbury Extend Their School Days?

Needham Public School officials are planning to do something students in that town may not like.

If approved, Needham will extend the school day at the elementary school level by 25 minutes and the middle schools by 10, Boston.com reports.

The additional 25 minutes at the elementary level would translate to 75 extra hours each school year, and would create room for expanded courses, including physical education and Spanish, among others.

At the middle school level, the additional 10 minutes of instructional time would add 30 hours per year, expand the existing curriculum, allow teachers more time to preview lessons and assign work, and make Needham competitive with neighboring communities' schools, according to Boston.com.

There's also a proposal to have Needham High School eliminate its half days, also known as professional development days, so teachers can meet with the principal for an hour-long meeting, pushing the start of school to 8:35 a.m. on those days.

Boston.com reports the district would have to hire 9 to 13 new elementary teachers, which could cost up to $715,000.

At Sudbury Public Schools, there are 19 half days plugged in its schedule for the 2013-14 calendar. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School has a regular weekly schedule of 1 1/2 hours of meeting time built in on Wednesdays, and three teacher workshop days a year, according to Administrative Assistant Curriculum/Compliance Tracey Lyon.

What's your take on this possibility? Should schools in Sudbury extend their hours and eliminate half days?

Tell us in the comments section below.