One District Examines Short Schedule

By Gina Kinslow, Glasgow Daily Times, Ky.

Jun. 19–GLASGOW — Two Kentucky school districts have found success with a four-day school week.

Webster County and Jenkins Independent School districts have both gone to a shorter school week, and according to information posted on Webster County’s Web site, a four-day school week has saved the district several thousand dollars. The district adopted the four-day schedule in 2003. Webster County is in western Kentucky.

Jenkins Independent, in far-eastern Letcher County, adopted the schedule for 2005-06 school year.

Harvey Tackett, director of pupil personnel for Jenkins Independent Schools, said the district opted for the change “to provide our students with a different quality of instruction. We were just looking to think outside the box.”

Only one of four area school districts, however, has even discussed the idea of a shorter school week.

“This is something we would probably take a hard look at for the following school year,” said Bud Tarry, transportation director for the Barren County School District.

Tarry recently presented the Barren County Board of Education with a list of things the school district could do to cut fuel expenses, such as not adding any new school bus routes and not sending buses down dead-end roads.

Adopting a four-day school week is another option. If fuel prices continue to rise, Tarry said a shorter school week is something district officials may consider.

“We’ve discussed it briefly, but it has just been among the principals and directors in our meetings,” he said.

Barren County Superintendent Dr. Jerry Ralston said the modified week will be discussed by the board.

“I believe a four-day school week needs to be put on the table as a possible consideration next year,” Ralston said. “With these tight budgets, we have no choice but to consider everything that may assist us to manage our district in a better way.”

Neither Glasgow, Caverna or Metcalfe County School districts have discussed going to a shorter school week.

However, officials with each district say they can see the benefits.

Randy Wilkinson, director of pupil personnel for Glasgow Independent Schools, pointed out that with a shorter school week, districts will save money on transportation and utility costs, and parents will likely save money on child care due to students being in class longer each day when school is in session.

However, Wilkinson says he can see some negative aspects, one of which is the longer school day.

“The longer you sit, the more you are likely to lose focus,” he said. “Whether it is an instructionally good idea or not, I would have to see a lot of data on it.”

Wilkinson is also concerned how school districts that adopt shorter school weeks are able to meet the state’s requirement for instructional days.

State law requires Kentucky schools to provide the equivalent of 175 six-hour instructional days, plus two extra days. The legislation was adopted as part of the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2006 Budget Bill, said Lisa Gross, spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education, who added that the law also states that a minimum school term each year must be at least 180 days, but pointed out that is for staff contract purposes.

“The ‘equivalent’ reference for the instructional time is key, and that’s how districts that go to a four-day week are able to meet the requirements of the law,” she said. “A minimum of six hours is considered an instructional day, but districts can go above and beyond that.”

Tackett said students in the Jenkins system get six hours and 45 minutes of instructional time each day. The students get the mandated 1,062 hours of instructional time. In fact, based on the calendar and daily schedule, the Jenkins students receive 1,113.25 hours.

Whether or not any area school districts would consider a shorter school week is yet to be seen.

“Who knows what may have to be done in the near future if fuel costs do not level off,” said Wayne Hatcher, chairman of the Caverna Board of Education.

For Jenkins Independent, there has been a savings of about $90,000 this past year in fuel, transportation and other areas, Tackett said.

But when the district switched its schedule, it was primarily to provide teachers with more time for curriculum planning.

“In the beginning, it was not a decision to go with this type of calendar to (cut expenses) due to fuel. That was never mentioned in any presentation. So it was not a factor in the beginning, but now …. it’s definitely been a plus for our school system.

“The key for us was making sure we had buy in from all stakeholders — from our parents, students, faculty and all staff and community,” he said.

He said there has been a definite increase in morale for both staff and students and less burnout over the course of the school year.

Webster County and Jenkins Independent will offer a joint presentation on the schedule at the Kentucky School Board Association Summer Institute in Lexington next month.

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