Schools

Shortened School Calendar: Nixed for Now?

In the face of strong opposition from parents, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School Board has set aside a cost-cutting plan that would have shaved 17 days off the 2012-2013 school year. There is some discussion of eliminating late-start days, however.

In light of resistance from parents and an unexpected windfall, the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District could put plans for a shorter school calendar out to pasture—at least for the immediate future. 

The abridged school calendar was just one of many cost-cutting measures considered by the Board of Education, which foresees stagnant revenue projections for the next two to three years, coupled with increases in operational costs for fuel, utilities and other basics. If these projections hold true, the district will have to slash $5 million from each annual budget for the next three years.

Officials estimate that the plan would have saved about $776,000. If implemented, the district would have cut over two weeks from the 2012-2013 calendar, shortening the school year from 172 days to 155. To compensate, the school day would also be 36 minutes longer—a trade-off that would give kids the same amount of instructional hours as a traditional schedule, officials said. 

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, however. At a long and often tense meeting on Thursday, Board Member Dan Luth said the plan had been "universally lambasted" since ISD 191 debuted the measure last month. 

Then, about two weeks ago the district was informed that some unanticipated funds from St. Paul could arrive. During the next school year, ISD 191 could be eligible for $500,000 in Literacy Funds, though the exact amount will depend on MCA scores which will be released in summer. All in all, the district is looking at about $1.3 million extra when literacy funds are combined with other savings (the district will be spared increased health insurance rates for the year to come)

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Shortened Calendar: Dead, but for how long?

At a series of public meetings about the proposal, parents complained that the modified calendar would impede learning. Those who held full-time jobs argued that such an uneven calendar would also wreak havoc on their schedules and pocket books, given the cost of daycare. Others said that the change was simply too sudden—that they would not have enough time to plan before the next school year rolled around.

"It came through loud and clear: They're just not ready for it," said Board Member Sandy Sweep.

Board members reported that parents were willing to make several drastic compromises if it meant that their children would have more time in school. Many said they would be willing to close under-populated schools or even increase class sizes in lieu of cutting the calendar. Given a little financial breathing room, several members of the board suggested that the district maintain the status quo during the 2012-2013 school year and consider more drastic measures during the following budget cycle.

"The community would be happy that we are listening to them and doing away with modified calendar. Doing it by this fall would be hard," Sweep said. "This would give us a year to make those drastic changes." 

Board Member Jim Schmid protested that parents would be no happier if the district enacted the measure one year out.

"I didn't hear one person say they'd be OK with the calendar next year," Schmid said.

Getting Rid of 2-Hour Late Start Days

One unexpected thread emerged from the listening sessions: Parents and teachers alike dislike late-start days, when school begins two hours later to allow for staff development and collaborative efforts among teachers. Many wanted to eliminate them entirely.

"A lot of parents said they're just as disruptive to people who have issues with daycare," Schmid said.

"At the high school, when the period is reduced to 23 minute nothing gets done. The kids think of it as a free day," Sweep added.

The current district calendar includes five late-start days. Teachers and staff are expected to engage in professional development and training for eight days a year, which means that teachers are sometimes pulled out of the classroom for meetings. Taking teachers out of the classroom did not sit well with either parents or some members of the board, who pointed out that the training days added substitute costs on top of the permanent teacher salaries.

Schmid and others advocated for getting rid of late-starts—instead making these five full days off for students. Chair Ron Hill, Luth and staff said that it was something to consider in the coming year—a longer timeline than Schmid had in mind.

"Let's take some time and study it," Hill said.

"For a year?" asked Board Member Bob VandenBoom.

"This is what drives people nuts," Schmid said. "(Staff) came to us with a 17-day cut and wanted us to rush it, why can't we look at this now? It's kind of hypocritical to continue on with this after that feedback."

Luth argued that these changes could demand contractual changes with the unions.

"Teachers I spoke with said they hated it. They had to do double plans and they worried about their kids," Board Member DeeDee Currier put in. "Is there a way to structure it in a different way?"

Hill responded that though there must be "a good way to skin this cat" it would not be possible to address it before the start of the upcoming school year.

"Why are we saying no before we even ask? Let's ask the people involved and see what they say," VandenBoom said. "We're making an assumption that they're not willing and I don't think that's a good assumption."

The debate was not fully resolved by the time the board adjourned at 10 p.m. They will address the budget again at their meeting on May 17.


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