Delaware County‘s largest school district is mulling a four-day school week to address teacher turnover and financial constraints. Parents, though, are raising concerns about how students would be affected.

A 23-member Act 80 Exploration Committee, made up of teachers, administrators, staff, and parents, is reviewing the proposal and plans to present findings to the Upper Darby School District board in March 2027.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, under the proposed model, students would have one day each week for independent work at school or home. Teachers would use that day for professional development, planning, and collaboration.

Upper Darby Superintendent Dan McGarry explained that the school district’s model could be an option for a district facing teacher departures and financial pressures.

“We’re constantly challenged with, you can’t raise your taxes as high as you want to because it’s not fair to constituents, but with teachers’ starting salaries in the $40,000 range after taking on debt and these loans, what’s the encouraging factor to do this job, a very hard, challenging job?” McGarry said to CBS News Philadelphia.

Parents and community members, however, are speaking out about impacts on students, including those with special needs and English language learners, as well as on routines, child care, and supervision on asynchronous days.

“An off day for school doesn’t give me an off day at work,” Kaisha Desameau told CBS News Philadelphia. “I still have to go to work, and while I’m at work and my daughter is home, who will be giving her that structure while I’m not there?”

The district serves about 12,300 to 12,400 students. No decisions have been made on the scope of the four-day schedule across all schools.

“Feedback is important, but also the needs of our staff will be important,” McGarry said to CBS News Philadelphia. “At the end of the day, if it’s not a good idea, we won’t do it. But the knee-jerk reaction isn’t one that’s going to necessarily drive us in one way or another.”

Any scheduling change must comply with Pennsylvania Act 80, which requires a minimum number of instructional days or hours.

The next Upper Darby School Board meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m.