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Four-day school weeks -
providing schools the flexibility to be creative
By Reps.
Dan Newhouse
and Bruce Chandler
For the Yakima Herald-Republic
If there is one thing we
know, it’s this: one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to children.
Parents know this approach doesn’t work when it comes to raising
children. Educators know it doesn’t work when it comes to educating
students. And legislators know it doesn’t work when it comes to creating
education policy. That is why we believe local school districts must be
allowed flexibility to make their own decisions when it comes to
determining how to best meet the needs of its students.
When local superintendents
Martin Huffman and Ric Palmer contacted us with the idea of flexible
school weeks, they did so because it would fit the needs of the students
and families in their school districts.
With that goal in mind, we
took their advice and crafted legislation to grant waivers from the
180-day school year requirement, while still keeping in place the
current 1,000 hour school year requirement. Remember, under the current
school week structure students miss approximately 20 days of school for
teacher in-service days. Essentially, they are already in four-day
school weeks most months already.
House Bill 1292 is straightforward. It would simply allow local
school districts the ability to operate on a flexible school week, if it
is in the best interest of students and communities agree.
First, a four-day school
week would be an option for school districts – not a requirement.
Community involvement and agreement is required at each step of the
decision-making process. Districts would be obligated to meet with
parents and members of the community in a public forum to discuss their
concerns. The waiver request must include a detailed explanation of how
concerns would be addressed. In addition, the district’s proposal must
include an estimate of cost savings to the school district and how those
savings will be redirected to support student learning.
How would this affect
families, particularly single-family and low-income families? The
concerns of working families should not be taken lightly. School
districts around the country that have adopted a four-day school week
found that the concerns of increased daycare costs were not necessarily
realized. In part, because the school day lengthened by about 40
minutes, which mean students spend less time in after-school care. Many
districts organized mentoring and tutoring activities utilizing
classified employees, and middle and high school students for the
planned non-class day. All-in-all, most districts report that the
altered schedule did not result in the negative impact feared.
Superintendent Huffman
addressed the issue raised by some who are worried classified employees
will be working significantly fewer hours. What critics have failed to
recognize is, the rural districts most likely to use a four-day option
must rely on classified employees for a variety of responsibilities. For
instance, bus drivers often help in the maintenance department when not
transporting students. And, as mentioned earlier some classified staff
could assist in tutoring or other special projects on the scheduled
non-school day.
Again, let’s not forget,
this issue is about flexibility and local control. This option isn’t the
answer for every district, but it may be for some.
The Legislature has
imposed mandates on our schools, in many cases leading to increased
local levies. It is only fair that the Legislature also empower local
school districts with the opportunity to be innovative and creative. We
respect local school boards, local administrators and local educators.
It is important to encourage innovation and flexibility with decisions
that affect communities. That is exactly what House Bill 1292 would
provide.
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Fenton, Communications
Director - (360) 786-7728
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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