The scheduling of teachers' "professional development days" was brought into question at the Joint School Committee on Thursday evening.

Tri-town schools have two half days and two full days scheduled for each year – time off for students when teachers gather in the schools for speakers, workshops and other such activities.

Regarding the half days, committee members questioned the wisdom and expense of bringing kids to school for a partial day, and if teachers are focused during the two and a half hours of professional development they have during the two afternoons.

“Each day is pretty expensive that we bring kids into school,” said Chair Sharon Hartley.

Member James Higgins said kids inevitably consider a half day as vacation.

“I think half days are relatively unproductive both for professional development and for students going to school,” said Higgins.

While teacher contracts would not allow combining the two half days into one without negotiations, committee members considered other options in lieu of the half days.

One idea that has been used in the past is to hire substitutes so teachers in particular grades or subjects could meet for development.

The committee also discussed when to schedule the two full days, which involve centralizing the teachers and bringing in education professionals.

The current process has been to hold one day in November and one in January to give teachers an opportunity to try out the new ideas they learn.

Some suggested scheduling the two days back to back on Thanksgiving week, giving students a full week of vacation as well as creating more full weeks of class during the school year.

Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos, who heads up curriculum for the schools, was opposed to the idea. She said it would be difficult to schedule speakers two days in a row and that teachers benefit from spreading the days out.

“That break allows the teachers to process, try and implement,” she said.

Others pointed out that while a week of vacation might be welcome in some families, it would mean setting up daycare arrangements for other families.

Committee members suggested looking at more data and discussing possibilities with faculty and parents before they meet again in March.

“There are too many new initiatives present and down the road from now. If you’re going to change, why not change for the better,” said James O’Brien.