OXFORD – SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman told directors this week that a four-day school week may not be the answer for this district or others, but it is a tool to keep escalating budgets in tow.

Eastman was one of several educators who recently provided testimony before a legislative committee in Augusta to support the measure that is being sponsored by state Rep. Sawin Millett, Jr., R-Waterford.

“I’m optimistic it will continue to move,” said Eastman of LD 96, a bill to authorize implementation of school calendars before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee awaiting a vote.

In his testimony, Eastman said that while reviewing options for dealing with high transportation costs last year, he looked at the four-day week as a way to reduce uncontrolled increases in fuel costs. The schedule is used in several school districts around the country, he said.

At the time, Eastman asked state education Commissioner Susan Gendron to approve the idea and was told she did not have the authority. This bill, he said, will give her that authority.

“I do not believe a four-day week is a one-size-fits-all strategy, but it will be fiscally attractive to larger rural districts,” Eastman told the committee. “With the consolidation process creating more of these districts, I believe there will be considerable interest in exploring this option.”

Eastman acknowledged that the four-day week could pose a challenge in meeting the needs of students who require extra academic time, but an alternative calendar could be useful in some ways.

“Passage of the legislation will not open the flood gates to four-day weeks but will allow districts to study and perhaps pilot this approach to increase understanding for all,” Eastman told the committee. “We should not wait until we find ourselves in a greater crisis before we act. Opening up this opportunity for further exploration makes good sense for all.”

A work session on LD 96 was held by the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Monday, but no vote has been taken on the legislation.