The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The four day week is half way through its first year of implementation in Big Sandy Schools.

This story started out as a “Man on the Street” story but it simply did not work. People either loved the concept or hated it. All were vociferous in their comments.

So, we took some of those comments, both pro and con and framed them as an interview with Brad Moore, the Superintendent of Schools, thinking that he could answer them best.

There is going to be a presentation at the next School Board meeting on January 19 about the four day week and how it is going. If interested, don’t miss that meeting.

For now, here are the questions and Mr. Moore’s comments.

Best thing the four day week has done for the school system?

The most positive data-based outcomes have been attendance for both the staff and students. Compared to this same time period last year, high school students absenteeism due to school activities was decreased by 40%. The junior high has decreased by 42%. Teacher absentees have decreased by a dramatic 58% from the same time period last year and a 10% decrease from the prior year. When you combine having your teachers and students at school more it allows for more effective learning by the students and more effective teaching for the teachers, because their students are there more often.

Also, I was able to fill two teaching positions with outstanding new teachers and the number one reason those teacher chose to come here was because we were going to a 4 day week. There is no doubt that we would have had those positions go unfilled without this as a recruiting tool.

Most negative comment you have heard about the four day week?

The biggest “issue” has been centered on the weeks when we have had a full five day week. It was confusing to some as to why we were having a five day week. It is extremely long for all the students and staff and has not been as productive as a normal four day week. It is recommended that all weeks next year be a four day week to avoid the above mentioned issues.

If it is true that the elementary school is open Fridays for extra help, but the high school is not, isn’t it time to try the high school being open again to see if it works better than the first time?

At the start of the school year we asked for a commitment from students and parents on utilizing our Fridays as a time staff could work with students who wanted extra help. The goal was to have at least 25% of the students sign up for the Friday programming. When we prepared for the first Friday session we were well above those numbers in both the high school and the elementary school, but when the day came only a few showed up in the high school. The Friday programming was more successful start in the elementary school to start with, but it faded over the course of 5 weeks, when less than 10% were showing up. It was a large financial commitment to the district to provide staffing and meals to help assist the students but without the follow through from the students it was not successful. It is not economically feasible to provide the service if the participation is so low. If we could be guaranteed attendance, then the program could be a great service to the students.

There is going to be a meeting to go over the four day week. Where is it and who should come?

I will be making a presentation to the Board of Trustees on the 4 day week at our regularly scheduled board meeting on the 19th of January. It contains both the good things up to this point and the things that need some adjustment in the future. There will also be recommendations on how we proceed in the future. I encourage all interested people to attend and provide input into this ongoing process.

Some say study halls are essential in high school? Your thoughts.

In my opinion study halls are the most inefficient use of money in a school system. If you use a certified teacher to teach or monitor a study hall it costs anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 per period to have that study hall. A study hall offered all 7 periods a day could cost the district over $50,000 a year. What also complicates the issue is that you may have the most skilled and knowledgeable teacher monitoring that study hall, but they will not be able to help students with all subjects. Can the English teacher effectively help the students with Algebra II or visa versa? Probably not. Also, it is much better use of the teacher resources to have them teach an elective class as opposed to monitoring a student hall. It is better for students to have a wider selection of electives that they find interesting and challenging than having time in a study hall.

Teachers are teaching more but there is no time for homework. Any truth to this?

The amount of homework has always been based on several factors, regardless of the length of week a school system uses. Factors include how well a student utilizes their time in class, makeup work from being absent, the pace the student works and the teacher expectations. We have more instructional time than in the past and student/teacher attendance is better, so stating that the 4 day week has increased homework is not valid. Homework concerns are something a parent needs to address with that teacher if they feel there is a concern. It is not a 4 day week issue.

There is no school on Fridays, yet there are sports so what is the savings?

The concept of a 4 day week was never presented as a cost savings mechanism, and moving to a 4 day week to save money is not a valid reason to do it as savings is minimal. There is some reduction in specific areas such as transportation and food service just because there are less days of school. At this point in comparison to last year we are seeing less money spent on substitute teachers due to the fact that teachers are seldom gone, but one should not put a lot of consideration to cost savings due to a 4 day week.

What and who determines whether there is school on any given Friday or not?

The certified teachers have input into the school calendar each year. They provide that information to me, and together we compile a school calendar proposal to present to the Board of Trustees. It is the Trustees that have the final say in the school calendar. The calendar proposal is scheduled to be presented at the February board meeting.

As Superintendent, do you get the feeling that the four day week has been successful the first half of the school year or is it seriously flawed?

Overall it has been successful. It is a major change for this school district and with any major change one has to give it time to look at its effectiveness. We have had some areas go better than expected and other areas that have not met our goals. None of those areas are impossible to fix. We make adjustments and move on. The 4 day week concept is not the “silver bullet” to fix areas of concern in a school system but merely a tool in our toolbox to help our school move forward in a positive way. If, in time, this “tool” has been found to be ineffective then we discard it and find another one to help us meet our ultimate goal, providing the best educational opportunity we can for the students we serve.