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To cut costs, cutting the school week

At least 292 school districts across the country have adopted four-day weeks as a cost-reduction measure. One is in North Branch, Minn.

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Jill and Kevin Hyduke, of North Branch, Minn., hug before leaving for work and taking their kids Nora, left, and Ruby to school. The children have to get ready earlier and stay later at school because the district changed to a four-day school week to save money.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

Jill Hyduke hands 6-year-old Nora a waffle as she and her sister, 8-year-old Ruby, get ready for school. The girls attend Sunrise River Elementary School in North Branch, just north of the Twin Cities.

Jill Hyduke hands 6-year-old Nora a waffle as she and her sister, 8-year-old Ruby, get ready for school. The girls attend Sunrise River Elementary School in North Branch, just north of the Twin Cities.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

Nora, shown, and her sister pick school over day care. “You get to learn more there,” Ruby says.The four-day week has a cost for their parents; they have to pay for day care on the fifth day, when kids would be in school under the traditional system.

Nora, shown, and her sister pick school over day care. “You get to learn more there,” Ruby says.The four-day week has a cost for their parents; they have to pay for day care on the fifth day, when kids would be in school under the traditional system.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

Nora opens her desk at the start of class.

Nora opens her desk at the start of class.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

Ruby searches for something good to check from the library at Sunrise River Elementary.

Ruby searches for something good to check from the library at Sunrise River Elementary.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

Stragglers run to catch their bus at North Branch Area Middle School. Teachers need to be creative to keep kids alert during the longer school day — scheduling challenging material early in the day, for example. Some also avoid giving homework on weeknights, since the children have less time to complete after getting home.

Stragglers run to catch their bus at North Branch Area Middle School. Teachers need to be creative to keep kids alert during the longer school day — scheduling challenging material early in the day, for example. Some also avoid giving homework on weeknights, since the children have less time to complete after getting home.

Ben Garvin / For The Washington Post

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