The Greater Essex County District School Board is considering year-round schooling.

According to the proposal, students would give up four weeks summer vacation in August, but have longer breaks at other times in the year, most likely around other holidays.

Director of Education Warren Kennedy says the idea would not come to all schools, just ones where the idea is popular.

"We're not trying to torture anybody. We think it's an important discussion that we need to have, not something that we're going to force on anybody," Kennedy said. "We want people to tell us that they're interested."

Idea from Grade 6 student

Kennedy said a Grade 6 student wrote him a letter requesting the board consider year-round schooling because she didn't like losing track of her friends during the summer.

Year-round learning could be piloted in two schools. Parent councils at Talbot Trail and Dr. H.D.Taylor Public Schools have expressed interest.

The logistics and finances surrounding the idea must also be closely considered, Kennedy said.

"And if it's too expensive, as an example, or we don't have interest, then we won't be able to pursue it. But again, it's just all part of the thinking and the discussions that are going to go on," Kennedy said.

The board says operational costs would be higher for busing and air conditioning.

"In the end if we decide it's good for children, I think it's an expense we can absorb," Kennedy said.

The director of education plans to visit a school in Brampton, Ont. that is already using the new system.

He said the board won't consider implementing the idea at Talbot Trail and Dr. H.D.Taylor Public Schools until 2014 at the earliest.