Tulsa World: Districts assess 4-day week

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Districts assess 4-day week
It's a study topic in some places and a chitchat subject in others. None is ready to try it yet.

By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer
Published: 9/28/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 9/28/2009 4:39 AM

The Prue and Gore school districts went to four-day school weeks as a way to make up for cuts in state aid, and now other districts are studying the idea as they attempt to shore up their cash-strapped budgets.

"A lot of schools are studying it," said Superintendent Todd Been at Dewar in Okmulgee County.

"We're looking at it," he said, noting that it would be a last resort. "If we did it, it wouldn't happen before December."

Been said he was still trying to figure out the savings from closing schools one extra day a week.

His preliminary estimates show a savings of $564 a day in utility costs and bus fuel.

"That's a lot of money when you add it up," he said.

Superintendent Rick Hatfield of Wilson schools, south of Okmulgee, said its students might have an 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-through-Thursday class schedule by January.

He said the proposal would be presented to the school board Oct. 6. The board already is receptive to the idea, he noted.

Hatfield said his figures show a budget shortfall of up to $50,000 for this school year. Shifting to a four-day week next semester will save about $20,000, he said.

Hatfield favors a four-day week, he said, noting that if handled properly it can lead to increased learning.

He said the four-day week was popular in Wyoming, where he once taught, and in New Mexico.

Further south along U.S. 75, Henryetta Superintendent Billy Green said, "We've kicked it around among the administrative

staff," but a four-day week is not yet a serious option.

"We'll have to wait until the spring to see if we have a budget crisis," he said.

If that happens, he said, every possible option will be studied.

The Berryhill school district, which includes part of Sand Springs, is giving a four-day week some consideration, Superintendent Mike Campbell said.

"We haven't studied it as an administrative team, but we have tossed the idea around," he said.

"I'm not sure it would be the first thing we'd do," he said, citing other available cost-cutting measures.

For example, he said, the school system could make up cuts in state aid by reducing travel, field trips and the cost of substitute teachers and by trying to keep utility bills in check.

The district has not reached the panic stage on state-aid cuts, he said.

Liberty Schools Superintendent Donna Campo said its students might be on a four-day week next semester.

Campo said the option has been studied and has been discussed with the school board. She's trying to estimate the savings that the move would produce.

The district has seen a $12,000 drop in state aid, she said, and if that continues "we may be trying it (four-day week) in the second semester."

She continued, "We'd be concerned for the parents and their costs for child care, but we'd have to make ends meet to keep the school doors open."

Shelly Hickman, a spokeswoman for the State Superintendent's Office, said she knew of only two school districts with a four-day week — Prue and Gore.

State officials will know how many more schools opt for a shorter week by Oct. 15, when school districts must submit their calendars for the year, she said.

State law used to mandate 175 days of instruction, but it was changed to let districts use an alternative of 1,050 hours of classroom time. That makes it easier for local school officials to adjust their calendars for the year, especially if they opt for a four-day week.

The Gore school system, the southwestern edge of Sequoyah County, was facing a $2.74 million drop in state aid when it shifted to a Tuesday-through-Friday class schedule last week.

Superintendent Keith Kincade said the changeover is expected to save about $350,000 this school year in the district's utility and transportation costs.

Manny Gamallo 581-8386
manny.gamallo@tulsaworld.com By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (9/28/2009 11:59:22 AM) Would the cost saving be nullified by using the 5th day for remediation and tutoring?
	Report Comment ajohnb, Jenks (9/30/2009 5:56:52 AM) I still say that consolidation of school districts and adminsitrations at the district level would say millions of dollars.

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