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?