BLOOMINGTON - President Obama wants kids to spend more time in school.

But many Central Illinois students aren't sure how they'd manage that with the workloads they already carry, while parents and educators wonder where the money would come from to keep students in school year round. Still, support for globally competitive education is strong.

Last week, Obama said American kids spend too little time in the classroom, putting them at a disadvantage with other students in other countries. He conceded children, like his own daughters, probably aren't wild about his idea, "but the challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom."

Obama suggested longer school days and/or shorter summer vacations.

Interviewed last week, most students in a group from Bloomington High School were more than skeptical about Obama's plan, saying they already have busy schedules in and out of school.

"I don't see the need for school to be elongated," said Donovan Roberts, a sophomore who plays football at BHS. "It doesn't make sense to compare our school to Japan and China because the whole system is different."

While he thinks the president is doing a good job, he hopes school days won't get longer because with football, Extreme Math, and other after-school activities, his days are full.

Tiffany Nguyen, another sophomore, said she rarely gets to bed before midnight now with homework, helping around the house and other activities. "I'd probably drop out," she said.

But not everyone agreed.

Tiana Schinckel, also in her second year at BHS, thinks Obama is on the right track. She said his plan would keep some kids occupied and out of trouble and provide more time for school activities.

BHS Principal Tim Moore is "kind of torn" about the idea.

He thinks more school would help some kids, but doesn't know if it's the answer for everyone. It would be ideal to give students who are behind in credits another opportunity to catch up, but it would be difficult for other students who have jobs, and who are involved in a lot of school-related activities.

Like others interviewed last week, Moore said financial support is a huge factor. The issue is not just paying teachers for more hours worked, but also transportation so students could take advantage of extra programs offered to them. BHS already provides 4 p.m. bus service for students who extend their hours at school, he said.

Unit 5 Superintendent Gary Niehaus also questions where the money would come from to keep schools open longer.

As far as extending classroom time, Unit 5 already offers more class hours than some districts in the area, Niehaus said. Elementary school students attend school six hours and 45 minutes daily - 30 minutes longer than Bloomington District 87 schools. Niehaus thinks the extra time is well spent.

Normal Community High School students in a journalism/newspaper class Thursday also said Unit 5's days were long enough and they didn't want daily hours added.

"People are already tired and worn out," said Laura Dienslake of Bloomington, a NCHS senior whose classes start at 7:15 a.m.

While District 87 has a shorter scheduled day for students, it offers a variety of school-related opportunities outside of school hours.

"I would say that as a district, we already offer extended learning opportunities," said Superintendent Bob Nielsen.

For example, a five-week, tuition-free summer program is offered for elementary school students who would benefit from it. Also, Sheridan Elementary School offers an early start program in late summer for kids who need to prepare for fall. These programs alone give some children eight more weeks of school.

"Let's face it - not every child learns at the same rate," said Nielsen, adding these and other options help those who need it.

"We've had great success. You can verify that against reading and math scores (of students who took advantage of summer programs)," he said. "The results are there, kids are learning more."

Children also learn during extracurricular activities, including, sports he and other educators said. For example, athletes generally do better in school when they are competing. "The coaches monitor them, and they have to do well in order to stay eligible," said Nielsen, adding students involved in music programs and other after-school activities often have higher grades.

Show us the money

Year-round, or extended school models, have been discussed off and on for a number of years.

"Educationally, it is a terrific idea," said Prairie Central Superintendent John Capasso. But - again - getting the financial backing to implement it is the issue.

In Capasso's Fairbury-based district, it would cost about $6 million to add air conditioning to extend classes into the summer months. "There would have to be grants available to make that happen," he said.

An extended school year has been suggested where students attend 180 days (as they do now), but with shorter, two- or three-week breaks scattered throughout the year, instead of getting the whole summer off.

"I'm not against it, if it's done the right way. Students definitely need time off school considering the long days," said Elissa Horvath of Bloomington, a NCHS senior who attends classes seven hours and 15 minutes a day plus other school activities.

Educators generally agree shorter school breaks, as opposed to the traditional agrarian-based summer vacation period, would benefit students. The current system, as Obama and the federal Department of Education contend, isn't very efficient because students forget a lot over the summer. Teachers have to "re-teach" during the first month of school. But to foster that retention, it would cost - a lot.

Without that financial support, "We wouldn't be able to afford it," said Capasso.

A Pontiac parent, John Barnhardt, can't believe the president thinks lengthening the school day at this time is a good idea "with so many schools having to make cuts" as they, like families, fight through the struggling economy.

"It has been reported that Pontiac District 429 schools will be another $700,000 in the hole next year, and this comes after they converted to attendance center schools," said Barnhardt, a father of three children in school now, twins starting kindergarten next year and an eight-month old baby. What will they do then to extend the school year - go $1 million further in the red?"

School administrators are asking the same questions.

"We've been fortunate to be able to offer after-school and early start and have boys and girls involved in summer school. If there were dollars to provide more opportunities, we would want to do more," said Jim Cooper principal at Sheridan.

But no one is confident schools could count on extra money for extra hours.