So struggling-to-make-ends-meet families are going to take a triple hit they can't afford, due to high fuel prices. Particularly the rural people mentioned.

They have to pay double the fuel prices of a few years ago (though their wages certainly haven't doubled), the cost of everything they buy that's been shipped by truck, train and/or ship will go up, and then taxes have to go up to pay for fuel for the schools..., and don't forget the local, state & national politicians & bureaucrats, who live off the taxpayer's labor, are going to be turning in higher expense reports due to higher fuel.
But who cares about them, since we estimate that the environment will benefit?

since the public school system is kind of a glorified free day care for many working parents this will actually end up costing money not saving money IMO as all of the parents that work during school hours will now have to drive their kid to and from day care and pay for day care... this will almost certainly add up to more cost per capita than will be saved by driving the buses less often...

I'm not sold on the 4-day school week. Kids are antsy and ready to go at 3 - I can't imagine telling them, "Actually, we're staying here until 4:30 and you're going to have to do more work." (I'm saying that as a former school employee.) I wish that article had more information on how successful this model is in places that have done the 4-day week for awhile, like in Cimarron.

However, a 4-day work week is totally different. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but the people I know who are working such a schedule are really enjoying it. They are more tired during the four days they work, but they feel it is worth it for the three-day weekend every week (not to mention the gas savings). I think it's likely we'll see an increase in this and in people working from home 1-2 days a week.