Hurley To Start Four-Day Week Next School Year
January 23, 2020
School Joins Crane, Galena In Alternative Schedule Gaining Popularity
Isaac Estes-Jones
In a 6-1 vote last Wednesday, Hurley’s School Board decided to move the school district to a four-day week with the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Allison Pope, superintendent of the district, said this is the culmination of two years of research and work by the district and board.
After a public meeting with parents in November, the school board elected to adopt the new schedule during their regular meeting on Wednesday, January 15. The first day of school next year will be Tuesday, August 25. School will dismiss for the year on Friday, May 14, 2021.
“The number of instructional hours was the biggest concern for the board,” said Dr. Pope. “The board was adamant we not lose instructional time with the kids and that we not do the minimum hours required by DESE [Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education].”
The minimum school hours, per DESE, are 1,044. In the 2019-2020 school year, Hurley students will have 1118.5 hours. Next year, under the four day week, students will receive 1119.4 hours. “We are talking potentially weeks more instruction over the bare minimum,” said Dr. Pope.
That 1119.4 equates to 7.667 instructional hours per day next year, over the course of 146 student days. The current school day is seven instructional hours. Next year, students will be in class from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The length and specific schedule of the student day was set with consideration given to parents in the district. “We’re adding to the end of the day because of comments we received from parents at the community meeting and other discussions,” said Dr. Pope. “We’re operating at a time frame to meet their needs,” she concluded.
Benefits to the school
“The biggest benefit for the district is going to be in teacher retention and recruitment,” said Dr. Pope. “We’re a small district, so we are in a situation where our salaries cannot compete with those at Nixa or Republic. This way, we will have an added edge bringing in and keeping good teachers.
“Also, based on feedback from neighboring districts, we are hoping to see increased morale for the kids in the building,” she said.
Crane School moved to a four-day week about three years ago, and the current school year is the first with the four day schedule at Galena School District.
Dr. Pope said these neighboring districts’ success with the schedule helped alleviate some issues parents worried about. “One good thing is that when people had questions or concerns, they could also talk to their friends and family members in other school districts,” said Dr. Pope.
A long road to a decision
Hurley began discussing this move for at least two years ago. “The board really took their time hearing from the community and getting comfortable with it,” said Dr. Pope.
When asked about downsides or issues that she foresees with this move, Dr. Pope said, “The only issue was dealing with the start date given the new legislation.” A law passed last year prevents schools from starting in the middle of August. “But, that’s an issue all schools are dealing with, trying to balance when the school year ends.”
In a 6-1 vote last Wednesday, Hurley’s School Board decided to move the school district to a four-day week with the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Allison Pope, superintendent of the district, said this is the culmination of two years of research and work by the district and board.
After a public meeting with parents in November, the school board elected to adopt the new schedule during their regular meeting on Wednesday, January 15. The first day of school next year will be Tuesday, August 25. School will dismiss for the year on Friday, May 14, 2021.
“The number of instructional hours was the biggest concern for the board,” said Dr. Pope. “The board was adamant we not lose instructional time with the kids and that we not do the minimum hours required by DESE [Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education].”
The minimum school hours, per DESE, are 1,044. In the 2019-2020 school year, Hurley students will have 1118.5 hours. Next year, under the four day week, students will receive 1119.4 hours. “We are talking potentially weeks more instruction over the bare minimum,” said Dr. Pope.
That 1119.4 equates to 7.667 instructional hours per day next year, over the course of 146 student days. The current school day is seven instructional hours. Next year, students will be in class from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The length and specific schedule of the student day was set with consideration given to parents in the district. “We’re adding to the end of the day because of comments we received from parents at the community meeting and other discussions,” said Dr. Pope. “We’re operating at a time frame to meet their needs,” she concluded.
Benefits to the school
“The biggest benefit for the district is going to be in teacher retention and recruitment,” said Dr. Pope. “We’re a small district, so we are in a situation where our salaries cannot compete with those at Nixa or Republic. This way, we will have an added edge bringing in and keeping good teachers.
“Also, based on feedback from neighboring districts, we are hoping to see increased morale for the kids in the building,” she said.
Crane School moved to a four-day week about three years ago, and the current school year is the first with the four day schedule at Galena School District.
Dr. Pope said these neighboring districts’ success with the schedule helped alleviate some issues parents worried about. “One good thing is that when people had questions or concerns, they could also talk to their friends and family members in other school districts,” said Dr. Pope.
A long road to a decision
Hurley began discussing this move for at least two years ago. “The board really took their time hearing from the community and getting comfortable with it,” said Dr. Pope.
When asked about downsides or issues that she foresees with this move, Dr. Pope said, “The only issue was dealing with the start date given the new legislation.” A law passed last year prevents schools from starting in the middle of August. “But, that’s an issue all schools are dealing with, trying to balance when the school year ends.”