KSD's four-day plan not financially motivated

KELLOGG –– As the Kellogg School District continues to explore the possibility of moving to a four-day school week, many questions have come up concerning the district’s motivations and how the change would impact the district financially. 

During a public workshop last month, KSD’s school board was presented with a proposed plan on how the district could transition to a four-day schedule – the plan thoroughly covered the district’s daily and yearly schedules, staff requirements, athletics, transportation, and even laid out Friday alternatives for students to participate in. 

However, beyond the mention of State-issued facilities funding remaining available to districts moving to a four-day schedule, money was not a key topic of the discussion or the reasoning behind the potential change. 

District administration and board chairwoman Alexa Griffin want it made clear that finances are not a motivator in the discussion of adopting a four-day schedule. 

“Districts on a four-day operating schedule have not had significant cost savings when they made the change,” Griffin said. “To potentially save money would mean to cut back on our classified staff, hourly employees, and that is not something we intend to do. We want to retain teachers and staff alike, and that means making sure employees keep their hours and benefits.”

It also doesn’t mean that certified teachers are working any less – the plan calls for longer days, and fewer days off during the approved school year – This allows them to meet their contractual obligations while also being able to have a life beyond being employees of the district. 

“We are looking at this as a potential for recruiting and retaining great teachers and staff,” Griffin said. “Far too often teachers are using personal time for prep and planning, and having little time for professional development. Having students one less day would allow for better training and collaboration, and more time to develop their syllabus.”

During the workshop, all four of the district’s school principals reported numerous cases of burnout among their staff – almost entirely due to a shortage of time. 

These cases of burnout lead to staff absences, which increases the district’s need for substitute teachers. 

The Post Falls School District, which is currently operating in the first year of its pilot four-day schedule, has reportedly experienced a significant decrease in the need for substitute teachers – saving the district thousands of dollars each month. 

Schools that have moved to a four-day schedule, have reported few student absences, which helps increase funding due to Idaho’s average daily attendance (ADA) funding model. 

The change will not presently affect the district’s reliance on supplemental levies, the Kellogg School District is one of 93 school districts in Idaho that relies on a supplemental levy to cover its annual costs.

“This could potentially be a positive in our ADA over time, and we don't expect to see any loss in funding due to the change to a four-day week,” Griffin said. “A recent piece of Idaho legislation now allows districts to receive the money for facilities even if they operate four days a week. We are awaiting final figures for what we will receive, but are looking forward to planning for our buildings.”

The agenda for the Kellogg School District’s May board meeting has not been set, but the four-day schedule could be voted on this month if the board feels they have enough information to make a decision.