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Why are we considering a change to the academic calendar?
Mr. Rauch stated at the Community Town Hall & FAQ, " Since I’ve been here, from day one, there was a conversation had with me about a 4 day week. Throughout the year, the conversation has kept coming up. I was able to attend a superintendent conference, and I was surprised to learn that about 60+ states in the state are currently doing a 4-day calendar or a hybrid calendar. I was able to attend some breakout sessions during that conference and hear about some of the lessons learned. When I returned, I was asked more about the 4 day calendar and some of our board members were receiving questions about it too. "
We decided to ask our school community if this was something that people were even interested in. Here is a timeline of what we have done so far.
2/7 Consulted with DEIC about the possibility of exploring a 4-day calendar. DEIC consists of teachers, staff, parents, & community members. DEIC wished to research. The DEIC thought this was something worth investigating further, so we moved forward with research.
2/9 Consulted with the Board of Trustees about the possibility of exploring a 4-day calendar. Board wished to research possibilities.
2/14-2/19 Surveyed Snyder ISD Parents/guardians, Staff, and 6-12th grade students to determine interest for exploring 4-day calendar. Survey results are listed at www.snyderisd.net/4day
2/21 & 2/28 Held Calendar Committee meetings with representatives from each campus and department to discuss pros, cons, problems, and solutions to 4 day week.
3/7 Held community discussion group with child care providers, churches, and other youth service organizations to discuss 4-day week possibility and explore options for the community. We found that a lot of communities have come up with creative opportunities to serve kids on the “off” day through camps, feeding programs, and other outreach.
3/9 Board of Trustees Meeting - administrative staff provided updates on calendar research and the pros and cons of a 4 day schedule.
We held a community Q&A to share the information we have currently found and also provide an opportunity to ask additional questions.
The primary reason we are looking at a possible change to the calendar is teacher recruitment and retention. Since the 1980’s teacher turnover has been a major problem. We have a phenomenon in the profession nationwide where teachers are exiting the profession, and so we are trying to find some different ways to get people interested in the profession and keep them interested. Our primary goal at Snyder ISD is to recruit quality staff who are committed to educating our children.
Recruitment, Retention & Existing Benefits
What has SISD done to recruit & retain teachers?
Prior to the start of the 2019-2020 school year, the Board of trustees approved an overhaul to the compensation package that increased base pay for classroom teachers. Additionally, the board approved increased compensation in other areas, such as:
Sign-on bonuses
Tested Subject Stipend of $3000
Increased stipends in the areas of ELAR, Math & Science to $3000
Increased the special education stipend to $7000
Provided Instructional Coaches
Upgraded Technology for staff and students
Bilingual Stipend
Teacher Incentive Allotment (TEA funded based to designated teachers based on performance measures)
District of Innovation allows us to hire uncertified teachers who are interested in becoming teachers and certify them locally with the understanding that they will begin actively working on their certification within the first year.
The recruitment and retention of high quality certified teachers is not just a Snyder ISD problem, it is a Texas and National problem. So much so that TEA has created a “Teacher Vacancy Task Force Committee” to determine the cause and possible solutions for the statewide teacher shortage.
Additionally, Bob Rauch and Snyder ISD has made a commitment to hire qualified, certified teachers. Through the District of Innovation process, Snyder ISD utilizes local certification to recruit educators. The district expects each person hired to obtain certification within one year.
How does our staff compensation package compare to other districts?
With regard to compensation, we look at it from a holistic perspective. We aren’t the highest in a 120 mile radius, and we are not the lowest. Compared to other schools, we do have a competitive compensation package.
Is the district doing this just to save money? Why don’t we just give teachers a raise?
We would love to give teachers a raise; we wish we could pay teachers more. As mentioned earlier, Snyder ISD is competitive among similar districts in our area. In addressing a balanced budget, Snyder ISD is looking for ways to retain high quality, committed employees by providing other incentives, such as a better work/life balance rather than a substantial increase in compensation.
How will this affect staff pay, benefits, and PD?
Our primary goal is to improve student outcomes by recruiting and retaining high-quality certified teachers, and these calendar considerations are intended to be an incentive, not a deterrent.
Some calendar models have full-time staff coming in for one Friday a month of professional development.
Regarding crossing guards, bus drivers, and substitutes: one of the cons of a 4-day calendar is that these staff members would have a reduced number of working days. We are looking at methods to address the needs of these valuable employees, pending board approval. Again, the intent is to provide an incentive and to not reduce the base pay of our team members.
We will continue to release specific information to the appropriate departments as more decisions are made.
Do you have samples of calendars being considered?
Yes, as of April 3rd, we have released 2 sample calendars
1. Traditional calendar: similar to what we have this year
Link: https://5il.co/1rx6g
2. Hybrid calendar: provides more breaks throughout the year and includes a fall break in October
Link :https://5il.co/1rx6i
While drafting these samples, we considered high burnout times for students and staff, testing schedules, and work-life balance.
School Schedules & Extracurricular Activities
How will this affect the school start and end dates and times?
One of our priorities is not to significantly extend the school day. One of the sample 4-day calendars we are considering is an eight-hour school day (which might be a 10-15 minute extension to the school day) with school beginning in August and ending in May. A 4 day calendar would likely cause school to start 1 week earlier and end 1 week later.
If you lengthen the school day how is after school activities affected?
We do not anticipate the need to significantly lengthen the school day.
Will athletic and extra-curricular practices and events be held 5 days a week?
Snyder ISD competes and participates in athletic and other extracurricular activities on Fridays as required by UIL. Should a 4-day week be implemented, transportation will be provided from the school to and from these events as usual. There may be some impacts to off-season athletic workouts on “off” days. There should not be any significant change to practice or competition schedule during the sports season. We are awaiting more information from UIL regarding other extracurricular activities, such as band and theatre.
My children enjoy their Fridays at school because of the school spirit and involvement of high school athletes at the primary and intermediate schools. Will the new schedule disrupt those days that they look forward to?
We know the buzz of Fridays in the fall is a fun day for students in all grade levels. Spirit days, visits from older students in athletics, and pep rallies are important to school culture.
Our first priority is ensuring a 4-day week does not impact academics for students. When comparing absenteeism rates, most absences occur on Fridays, and most substitutes are requested on Fridays, which means more students are missing out on learning. However, we will look at ways to maintain and boost participation with regard to school spirit and mentorship opportunities if it is decided to move forward with an M-Th school week. Some districts attend school on home football Fridays so as not to interfere with school spirit and traditions; we are considering this as an option.
Attendance
Would the “off” day be a Monday or a Friday?
Our first priority is ensuring a 4-day week does not impact academics for students. At first we thought Mondays would make the most sense. When comparing absenteeism rates, most absences occur on Fridays, and most substitutes are requested on Fridays, which means more students are missing out on learning. We will look at ways to maintain and perhaps even boost participation with regard to school spirit and mentorship opportunities if it is decided to move forward with a M-Th school week. Some districts attend school on home football Fridays so as not to interfere with school spirit and traditions.
Here is a breakdown of absenteeism rates for the first semester of 2022 by day. This DOES NOT include school-related absences.
Is a half-day Friday possible?
When looking at half-days attendance rates, especially before the holidays, we see a significant drop in attendance. This also does not include students who are checked out early.
As you look at this slide, you can see that half days are not a good option for Fridays. When 200-500 students are absent, that is not an effective instructional day.
Mrs. Kathy Scott elaborated on the pros and cons of an alternative calendar for student attendance.
Pros
Potential to increase attendance rates - we must put more emphasis on attendance, regardless of the calendar selected.
Eliminate the lack of instructional rigor that is occurring on Fridays due to staff and student absences.
Cons
Decrease in the number of instructional days, no extra time in the schedule.
Students who have excessive absences will be even further behind.
Concern for the safety/care of some student populations and lack of supervision for some students on Fridays.
Uncertainty of changes that may come out of the legislative session.
Do you think a shorter week might improve staff attendance?
We have heard from the other districts that this has the potential to improve staff attendance. We’ve already identified that on Fridays, we have a higher number of substitutes. We know that the best situation is to have a teacher present so anything we can do to improve that will help students.
Is Snyder currently meeting the state-mandated minutes?
Definitely. We are required to attend a minimum of 75,600 minutes each school year. It is important to have days built in for unexpected weather days. However, when calculating minutes, we have about 14 additional days built into our current calendar.
With some of the 4-day calendar samples, we will not have as much cushion and would have to make up bad-weather days. With some of the hybrid samples, we would most likely not have to make up bad weather day.
Are we concerned that Thursday might become the new Friday?
Yes. Regardless of what calendar option we choose, we will have to focus on improving attendance. Attendance rates have declined nationwide since COVID. If students aren’t in school, their ability to learn is decreased.
Calendar Options
Will the Christmas break be shortened? Many use extended breaks to travel farther distances to visit families.
With the sample calendar models we have used and seen, the Christmas break will not be shortened.
Can this be considered just for Junior High and High School? Doesn’t research show significant learning in primary grades?
We believe valuable learning occurs in all grades. Continuity within the district is important. When we have had different schedules in the past, we did not find much benefit.
Is a 4-day calendar the only option?
We have researched well over a dozen 4-day week Texas school calendars and have been following other school districts in the state who are considering this change.
Some schools are striking a compromise between a traditional calendar and a 4-day calendar with a hybrid calendar.
Below is a sample of how a traditional 5 day, 4 day, and a hybrid calendar would compare.
Have you all looked at other school districts that have implemented a 4-day week? What do their calendars look like?
Yes, here are just some of the 4-day calendars we have researched:
Alba-Golden ISD
Map example of 4 day and hybrid districts
Is it possible that changes in this legislative session could prevent us from switching to a 4-day calendar?
Yes. We are currently in a legislative session and we are required to follow any new legislation that is passed.
Curriculum
How will academics be affected?
Since the 4 day week calendar is relatively new in the state of Texas, there is not a significant amount of data available yet to determine the impact on academics. However, we do know that having committed, quality teachers in the classroom does have an impact on academic performance and we know that attendance impacts student achievement. The current curriculum can be adapted to a shorter week with intentional planning and preparation.
How will this affect special needs students?
Special needs students will continue to receive services. There would be no change to that.
Will the 5th day be an online learning day, like we did during COVID?
No, the 5th day will not be an assigned online or virtual learning day.
In surveys, some students expressed interest in utilizing the 5th day to catch up on assignments at home, which is an option if desired.
Childcare
Will the school offer ACE?
The ACE program is a grant administered by the TEA. The ACE program was not renewed for the 2021-2022 school year.
Will Snyder ISD offer daycare on the 5th day? Have you all looked at other school districts that are doing this?
We have looked at other school districts that have offered a daycare program. Most of those who initially offered daycare programs saw declining attendance within the first semester and some ended up closing the daycare programs due to a lack of demand.
What about students who depend on school for food, nutrition, or safety?
We are concerned about this too. Snyder ISD is not provided funding for food or staffing on days when students are not in school. We currently participate in the National School Lunch Program, governed by the USDA. The rules state that if we are not having school, we are not allowed to offer meals through their program.
As part of our research, we held a community discussion group with child care providers, churches, youth service organizations, the DCOS, and the Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the 4-day week possibility and explore options for the community.
Encouraged by their interest in pulling together to consider offering services to stand in the gap.
Will we make sure 100% that daycares and hospitals will cooperate before we do a 4 day calendar?
No. However, we are doing our best to communicate our changes to local entities and have begun that process through community discussion groups and other conversations.
How is this going to affect student//family vacations?
Our plan is to release a calendar as soon as possible so that families can plan vacations accordingly.
Next Steps
Our next step is to collect final thoughts from our school community through a survey. The survey is open April 3 - 9th. We will present the survey results in the DEIC committee on April 11th and the Board of Trustees at their regularly scheduled board meeting on April 13th at 6 pm in the SISD Administration Building.