CLICKBACK ON SCHOOL WEEK

This week, ClickBack asks readers to ponder a shorter public school week, post-traumatic stress disorder and tourism. To participate in the BDN’s interactive feature, go to www.bangordailynews.com and click on the ClickBack logo to post your answer. Some of the responses posted on the Web site will be printed on the BDN’s OpEd page on Friday. Readers also are encouraged to post their own suggested questions at the ClickBack page.

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Should Maine public schools be allowed to go to four-day weeks to save energy?

Education Commissioner Susan Gendron has been asked to consider allowing districts to schedule four-day weeks, but she said there is no provision in state law allowing such flexibility; the law requires 175 school days. Districts could reap significant savings in bus fuel and heating oil costs by not having classes one day a week. Could this arrangement work? Is it worth changing state law? Do extreme conditions call for extreme solutions? Or would longer school days tire children, leading to more “down time” in the school day?

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Is the U.S. prepared to care for returning veterans?

Memorial Day reminds us to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. But do we care enough about those who have served and returned? Many of those who return to the States from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan have physical rehabilitation needs, and many eventually will be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, requiring months or years of therapy. Is the government prepared to pay for such care? Which, if any, of the presidential candidates is committed to providing such care? Should these costs be computed into the cost of war? Is it time for a veterans bill of rights?

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What will high gas prices mean for Maine’s summer tourism season?

Those in the tourism business often have a hard time predicting what higher gas prices will mean for Maine. The state’s core market is in Greater Boston, southern New England and New York-New Jersey. Will these regular visitors to Maine stay home this summer to save on gasoline costs? Or will those who typically travel farther from home instead drive 300 or 400 miles to Maine and see it as a savings? Is there anything the state can do to encourage tourism this year, such as a toll holiday?

What do you think? Go to www.bangordailynews.com and register your thoughts at ClickBack.