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Cortez schools OK 4-day week
District says system will save money
Cortez Journal
We are looking at a financial crisis here, and the positive aspects of moving to a four-day week far outweigh any negative aspects.
- Diane Fox, board member, Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1
The action, taken Tuesday, was approved 4-3 as about 70 parents, teachers and students sat and stood in the Downey Gym to hear the much-anticipated decision.
A four-day week would cut approximately $300,000 from the budget, a conservative estimate made by Superintendent Stacy Houser when the issue came up about a month ago.
The district would save money by eliminating electricity costs on Fridays when school is out and by cutting back on part-time workers. A single bus route also is being considered, which would decrease transportation costs.
Board President Jackie Fisher, Vice President Sherri Wright and board member Tim Lanier voted against the four-day week.
"We're making the decision way too fast, and I don't feel as if it is in the best interest of the kids," Fisher said, noting that two or three additional public meetings would be beneficial to the decision. "We are winging it."
The rest of the board argued in favor of the shortened week.
Durango School District 9-R is projecting a loss of $1 million in state funding for the 2009-10 school year because of declining student numbers, but it is not considering going to a four-day school week.
But in Cortez, the four-day option gained support.
"We are looking at a financial crisis here, and the positive aspects of moving to a four-day week far outweigh any negative aspects," board member Diane Fox said. "We are going to have to make some tough decisions, and we don't have a lot of time. This is the most positive thing we can do to save money and still be progressive."
Teacher attendance improves, student attendance improves and morale improves with a four-day week, Fox said.
Wright said that "if we are to do this, we need to do it right," and later asked Houser specifically how much money would be saved.
Houser said he is not sure.
"It may not be $300,000. It could be $400,000 or $200,000. I won't know until it is all said and done, but we will save money," Houser said. "Will we do this right? Absolutely."
Leon Murdock, another Re-1 board member, said he has visited schools and heard from teachers that "the children could and would adapt" to a longer day. Students wouldn't be losing total "seat time" during the school year, but classes would be extended to make up for the difference in losing Fridays.
The Re-1 district would be one of the largest districts, at a little more than 3,000 enrolled students, to implement the four-day week in the state. Most districts are rural, which concerned Fisher, as Re-1 is considered mid-sized.
Deliberation among board members did not last long, and the board did not open discussion for public comment. After the vote passed, Heath Elliott, a parent and member of the District Accountability Committee, believed the board's move was "a step in the right direction."
"It's going to take a lot of work, but they are committed to follow through and make sure it's all done right, in the students' best interest," Elliott said. "I commend the board for its action."
Tenth-grader Eric Sprague wondered how much money the move actually would save but worried more about finishing homework without an extra day in school.
High school students will have additional time to "party" with an extra day, said parent Karen Landis. She also wondered about parents with small children who will have to find day care.
"It's not what it's going to save the school, it's what it's going to cost the community," Landis said.
Fourth-grade teacher Michelle Dunstan, at Manaugh Elementary School, was positive about the change.
"I don't think this decision was teacher-driven," Dunstan said. "We might actually see some improvement since we won't be so rushed (during class).
"We need to do things differently on how we approach education, and this is a great opportunity for educators to do that."
kristenp@cortezjournal.com.
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