News from July 5, 2007 issue

Local News
The Crittenden Press (3 pages) PDF
(Selected pages 1A, 5A, 3B)
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County looking at 4-day week schooling
Next week, the first official steps toward exploring a four-day school week are expected with the creation of four fact-finding committees by the board of education.
Crittenden County School Board members set the course for each of the four committees at a work session earlier this week. While the make-up of the exploratory groups has not been determined, each will be charged with researching specific areas of concern that may be brought on by the prospect of a shortened school week.
The committees should be approved at Tuesday’s 6 p.m., board meeting at Rocket Arena.
Despite the move, board members maintain that a four-day week is only one option being examined as a cost-saving measure for a school system already forced to cut jobs and programs.
"We would be shirking our duties if we do not explore all options," board member Bill Asbridge said.
The board is modeling its approach after that of neighboring Webster County, the first Kentucky school district to implement a four-day week. While Webster County has shown a savings, increased test scores and improved attendance since starting the abbreviated week in 2003, more than 100 school districts in mostly western states have been utilizing the measure for years. Most four-day weeks are used in rural districts.
Superintendent John Belt ensures that careful consideration, which includes public input, will be given to the option locally. He said the study will be modeled after a drug-testing policy implemented here a few years ago. And, he said no changes will come this year.
“We will be going Monday through Friday beginning Aug. 6,” he said last week.
Classes for students start Aug. 8, but teachers and staff report two days earlier.
While it is uncertain what other types of cost-cutting measures the board might consider over the next few months, the four-day option is in direct response to increased transportation costs brought on by higher fuel prices. Belt said the board needs some sort of contingency plan if fuel goes as high as $5 a gallon for buses that may get five miles per gallon.
According to board Finance Officer Brent Highfil, $100,000 has been budgeted for fuel alone in the 2007-08 school year. Last year, $80,000 was spent on fuel and $89,000 the year before.
By reducing the number of days students are picked up for school and extending the hours they are in session by a half-hour or so, the board could meet the required 1,062 hours pupils must be in class each year and effectively cut busing costs by 20 percent.
But implementing a four-day school week – with most, but not all, Mondays off during during the year – would have several hurdles to overcome. The biggest concern among board members is childcare on those weekdays students are not in session.
Pam Collins, the mother of a second- and sixth-grader , said she is intrigued by the prospect of a four-day week, but has questions about the childcare issue. A second-grader, she said, is not old enough to stay at home alone and some parents, limited by budget, could have few options. And, can the local daycare centers handle more children one day a week?
“Everyone is affected differently,” Collins said. “This needs much, much consideration.”
In fact, exploring daycare issues will be the mission of one of the four board-created committees. The other committees will address academics, finances and communications with the public and board employees.
Harold Grace, a teacher for 27 years in the Crittenden County school system and head of the retired teacher’s association, is undecided on the shorter week.
“I can see the pros and cons,” he said.
As a former bus driver as well, Grace said he understands transportation costs are one of the most expensive a district pays for, but focusing on that could leave students playing catch-up on Tuesdays.
“Three days off (each week) could be a hurdle,” he said. “They have a tendency to get out of the cycle.”
“It’s going to be hard to make these decisions,” Grace added.