An idea that surfaced at the Tuesday meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education would expand the school day beyond the current six-class acdemic day. The presentation by several school system staff and students was essentially the beginning of a discussion that could easily take months to resolve.

Board members heard presentations from a number of school employees and students advocating for the change to an expanded academic day. Offering more than the six classes would enable students to take advantage of other course offerings besides those contained in the increasing requirements relating to core academic courses, the speakers said.

School system staff said that, given the number of variables involved, such a move would require an in-depth study and, if approved, would come with a likely implementation in the 2012-2013 school year.

Chairman Bob Todd said school board members would begin consideration of the questions and issues surrounding a possible expansion.