update on four-day school week feasibility study denton santarelli, ed.d. superintendent march 12,...
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Update on Four-Day School Week Feasibility Study
Denton Santarelli, Ed.D.Superintendent
March 12, 2015
Purpose• Possible alternative to reducing non-classroom
areas that impact the classroom, per proposed state budget.
• Assuming reductions of $3-5 million as indicated in the Executive Summary.
• Comprehensive list of non-classroom expenses can be found here.
Process• Develop strategic outline
• Assemble task force of area experts
• Conduct research and extensive outreach
• Compile findings
Task Force• Danielle Airey• Kristen Balthis• Robert Benson• Heather Cruz• Wendy Davy• Shawn Duguid• John Gay• Padric Hall• Holly Harper• Ken Hicks• Doug King
• Chris Lopezlira• Linda Palles-Thompson• Jared Reynolds• Denton Santarelli • Sandra Schossow• Mike Sivertson• Dave Snyder• Laura Vesely• Tony Vining• Tahlya Visintainer
Financial Analysis
Projected Savings of a 4 Day School Week
Area Amount Maintenance/Custodial $400,000 Utilities $750,000 Substitutes $225,000 Hourly Staff* $211,277 Food Service* $1,670,000 Transportation $700,000
Total Savings $3,956,277
*Depending on position, some part-time staff would reduce hours
Literature Review
• Used by rural districts for more than 35 years• 42 school districts in Arizona use a four-day model• Initially met with skepticism• Once implemented, becomes widely accepted • Negligible impact on academic performance • Anticipated savings 1.5-5%• Decreased absenteeism• Attract and retain strategy
Parent Survey Results
I am a parent of: # of respondents Percentage
Both Elementary and High School Students
1326 23%
Elementary(s) 3211 56%
High School(s) 1208 21%
Parent Survey ResultsAre you supportive of a four-day school week in Peoria Unified?
39.2%
52.1%
8.6%
Yes No No Opinion
Parent Survey ResultsIf a four-day week…would that impact your decision
to keep your students(s) enrolled in the district?
49.6%
39.6%
10.4%
I would keep my student(s) enrolled.I would consider moving to a district/school with a traditional five-day schedule.My decision to stay would not be influenced by the four-day week schedule.
Parent Survey ResultsIf moving to a four-day school week would mean reducing
non-classroom expenses, I prefer:
33.5%
65.6%
0.9%
Reducing the support services.A four-day school scheduleInterested in looking at both options
Parent Survey ResultsShould the district move forward with a four-day school week,
would you prefer Monday or Friday as a non-school day?
72.5%
27.8%
Friday Monday
Employee Survey Results
Please indicate your type of employment. # of respondents Percentage
Administrative 65 4%
Certified 1238 67%
Classified Exempt 51 3%
Classified Hourly 482 26%
Employee Survey Results
Are you supportive of a four-day school/work week in Peoria Unified?
73.3%
16.9%
9.9%
Yes No No Opinion
Employee Survey ResultsShould the district move forward with a four-day school
week, would you prefer Monday or Friday as a non-school/non-work day?
69.6%
30.4%
Friday Monday
Employee Survey Results
If a four-day school/work week was implemented, how would that impact your decision to sign a contract?
58.6%33%
8.5%
I would sign and stay.
I would consider seeking employment in a district/school with a traditional five-day schedule.
My decision for signing would not be influenced by the four-day week.
Employee Survey ResultsDo you feel a four-day school/work week
would help attract employees?
72.5%
27.5%
Yes No
Employee Survey ResultsDo you feel a four-day school/work week
would help retain employees?
70%
30%
Yes No
Required Instructional Hours ARS 15-801
Hours cannot encompass passing time or lunch. There are 123 seat hours required per high school course.
Grade Hours
1st – 6th 712
7th – 8th 1,000
9th – 12th 720
Sample Elementary Schedules
*Times are subject to change and for illustrative purposes only.
Grade Start Time End Time Total School Hours
TotalInstructional Hours/Year
Kindergarten A.M.: 9:00 a.m. P.M.: 1:15 p.m.Full: 9:00 a.m.
A.M.: 11:45 a.m.P.M.: 4:00 p.m.Full: 4:00 p.m.
Half day: 2.45Full day: 7
Half day: 305Full day: 864
1st – 3rd 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 7 864
4th- 8th 8:15 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 8.25 1,044
Sample High School Schedule
Grade Start Time End Time Hours Total Instructional Hours/year
9th – 12th 7:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 8 1,008
*Times are subject to change and for illustrative purposes only.
Staffing Impact• All staff will work a four-day week• Salaried staff will not see a decline in pay as they are
exempt employees and exceed a 40-hour work week• Hourly staff, depending on position, may see a
reduction in weekly hours• Effective strategy to attract and retain staff• Less substitute teachers needed for reduced
schedule• Reduced absenteeism
Other Areas of Consideration• Special education• Preschool/COOP• Extracurricular activities & clubs• Technology• Safety • Athletics• West-MEC• Before/after school care • Non-school day child care
Extensive Outreach• Association Advisory Council• Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council • Community Legislative Network• District Calendar Committee• Peoria Education Foundation• Site Councils • Peoria United Parent Council• Social Media• Municipalities
Next Steps
• Continue to review budgetary alternatives – Statute requires two public hearings before a Board vote
to move forward with schedule modification
• March 26 Board Meeting – Present options aligned to state approved budget
Questions?