School leaders take a bold step

Henderson County schools leaders have shown innovation and openness to change in trying a four-day work week this summer in the face of soaring energy costs.

It took the school system no time to approve an idea. With the stroke of Superintendent Stephen Page's pen, the schools should be able to cut summer energy costs for buildings and commuting costs for administrative staff.

Employees will work 10-hour days Monday through Thursday until Aug. 15. Summer school and daycare services will not be affected.

The move could save the school system $20,000 in energy costs by shutting buildings and keeping vehicles off the road on Fridays, Page says.

The school system, Page said, is "going to give it a try, and see if it really does make a difference."

"It seemed like the timing was right to do something like this because of energy costs," he said.

The schools expect to spend $2.46 million on electricity, natural gas, water and sewer in the coming fiscal year, including $91,675 for the new Sugarloaf Elementary School. That's $235,000 more than budgeted this year. School Board member Lisa Edwards is right when she calls this a great idea.

"Anything we can do to save energy — try it, see how it works," she said. It's too bad the Henderson County Board of Commissioners gave a lukewarm reaction when County Manager Steve Wyatt proposed a four-day work week for county employees.

Commissioners should reconsider the idea. With no end to energy inflation in sight, it makes good sense.