True. However, opening up a summer semester will spread out the school population and allow more students to attend that school building -- thus reducing the need to build new schools. Therefore, the costs for air conditioning, maintenance, utilities, etc., will be somewhat offset by the money savings from not having to build as many schools.

I agree 100% with everything you said. The basic philosophy behind the trimester system is to utilize buildings more effectively, allow possible accelerated learning, and provide teachers with a higher livable income. I, too, believe that most families would opt for the fall and winter semesters. The lure for the summer semester is the likely prospect for smaller student numbers in the school and classroom -- thus providing more one-on-one education. Whatever students DO opt for the summer semester will directly relieve crowding for the other semesters and allow for more students to attend the same school building -- thus saving capital costs of building new schools. There is a cost for the trimester system including increased wear and tear on facilities, air conditioning, utilities, etc. Those costs be offset somewhat by the financial savings of building fewer schools. Salaries will not be an "increase" since the increased salaries for a teacher teaching three semesters will be offset by hiring fewer teachers or those opting to teach only one semester. The same is true for retirement benefits. With my experience in designing year-round programs, I am also very aware that the "traditional" school calendar with summers off is HIGHLY preferred by parents and students. It would be an up-hill battle to win over ANY type of a school program that involves the months of mid-June through mid-August. That is a tradition and expectation so ingrained that it will take a complete paradigm shift in order for that to occur. But any type of discussion which includes ways to increase the flexibility and length of teacher contracts and providing a method whereby students can take extra classes and possibly graduate early is healthy and should be investigated and analyzed.

The "year-round" schools used in school districts along the Wasatch Front are ONLY for reducing capital expenses. Schools can house around 25% more students in one building since only three out of four "groups" are there at any one time. The year-round schools do NOT increase the amount of days or time students attend. They do NOT reduce class sizes. They do NOT result in more pay for teachers. Those are all misunderstandings. However, the "trimester" year-round program that Sen. Stevenson is talking about is completely different. The school year is divided into three blocks (which includes the summer). A "school year" is two out the three blocks. Students can choose which two to attend (fall, winter or summer). Teachers can either teach one, two, or even all three blocks (for more pay). Students can also choose to attend all three blocks if they want to accelerate their learning -- which would be a 12 month school year.

I'm 100% in favor of salary caps for public employees. But even if you cap district administrators at 100K and principals at 80K and teachers at 60K, it will only result in a savings of a half million dollars or so. With a budget shortfall of 30 million dollars, the salaries caps will only be a drop in the bucket. A LOT more will need to be done -- with savings and revenue production and innovation -- in order to address the serious shortfalls both short-term and long-term.

Teachers have a life beyond the classroom and I think it's unrealistic to prohibit them from participating in any social networking. Instead, teachers can easily filter students from having access to their site. If doing such "hurts student feelings" so be it. Students need to learn that a teacher's personal life is none of their business. Having a site dedicated to classroom information is fine and, even, encouraged. Most teachers are actually required to have a class webpage up and running which posts information for students and parents. But personal sites are not appropriate for student access.

Are marijuana dummies like marijuana scarecrows? And why should we legalize them?