District debates staying at four or returning to five-day school schedule

Leslie Pugmire Hole
Spokesman staff

The Redmond School Board debated for nearly two hours during its March 10 work session, trying to ferret out the merits of crafting next year’s budget around a four-day schedule or returning to a five-day week.

Players in the determination include district administrators, the board, an Academic Advisory Team composed of three staff members from each school in the district, and a budget task force of district employees that is expected to develop a budget proposal for the official budget committee later this spring.

Leading the concerns that not enough options were being considered was board member Dan Murphy.

“It appears the budget committee is being handed a directive of moving towards the five-day week before the full consequences are understood,” he said. Murphy’s wife Cindy is a teacher in the district and sits on the Academic Advisory Committee.

District officials pointed out that the memorandum of understanding with the Redmond Education Association, in which the certified employees and district agreed to the four-day schedule this year, would expire soon and starting with a possible five-day schedule makes the most sense.

“I feel strongly that restoring a five-day week is something we owe the community,” said Superintendent Vickie Fleming. “It restores contract status, eliminates debates on the sick leave policy, and relieves doubts in the community.”

Muddying the waters of the debate were minutes from the last Academic Advisory Team meeting, which board members felt showed a wide variety of opinions on returning to a five-day schedule.

“If we are going to go back to a five-day week it needs to be data-driven, do not use anecdotal information that the business community feels we are a substandard school system,” one team member commented.

“Every year the budget process tends to get away from us,” said Murphy, adding that there never seems to be enough time to analyze all the information before decisions must be made.

“Is there time to consider alternatives?” he asked.

Mike Schofield, district chief financial officer, said there was enough time in the budget planning process but the four/five-day choice needed to be made very soon so individuals can plan their schedule and staffing needs for next year.

“The task force should be weighing all the pros and cons but I feel that is not happening,” said board chair Paul Rodby. “We shouldn’t make any decisions until we have a clear picture.”

The length of the debate appeared to frustrate some at the meeting, several of whom pointed out that quality education could be crafted in four days or five, but a choice had to be made before anything could be done.

Input was sought from district staff at the meeting. Elton Gregory Principal John Hartford told the board that his polling of staff showed a preference for returning to a five-day week, explaining that this year’s short weeks have “compacted the curriculum. There’s a tendency to not bring your 'A Game’ every day, just so you can get everything done.”

Redmond High School teacher and REA President Barry Branaugh said that four or five days didn’t matter as much as restoring a prep period for the high school teachers, most of whom see more than 100 students every day.

“Either way we go there will be trade-offs,” he said.
Board member Ric Little was unequivocal in his support of returning for a five-day week; board member Jim Erickson echoed the concern stated by some that on an economic level, keeping a four-day week may hurt Redmond’s educational reputation.

Marcy Tretheway, local representative for the classified employees, reiterated the importance of a decision either way.

“As far as I’m concerned saving jobs comes second (to the best interests of students) even though my job is to protect those jobs,” she said, pointing out that either four or five days is workable because the key is in the details.

Branaugh cited the short time line before a budget proposal had to be crafted, pointing out that last year, when the budget was cut by nearly $5 million, the process was begun much sooner.

“It’s going so fast I feel like a lot of ideas are not being heard,” he said.

“Let’s not throw out everything we’ve built and get tunnel vision.”

Board member Cathy Miller, appearing frustrated with the debate, said, “We’re pushing ourselves to the wall just like last year. How can we expect our leaders to improve morale if we can’t make up our own minds?”

After several requests for the exact information the board needed to make their decision, Fleming showed her frustration as well, stating “My fear is being seen as a substandard system. I feel certain (returning to a five-day week) is the best choice. I don’t even know why we’re talking about this.”

Murphy countered, “You may be sure Vickie, but we’re the ones who have to vote on it. I don’t worry about that, I worry about how well the kids succeed after graduation.”

It was decided to gather more input from district staff via e-mail surveys and collect more information for the March 17 board meeting, which will include time for public comment on the four/five-day schedule.

Redmond School Board meeting
March 17, 5:30 p.m.
145 S.E. Salmon Ave.
541-923-5437