APSB members discuss 4-day school week

As the Avoyelles Parish School Board enters its “fact-gathering” phase in considering adopting a four-day school week, board members are asking their constituents for their input on the proposal.

This past week, board members Van Kojis and Chris Robinson addressed the Bunkie City Council to discuss the proposed change. The two men represent the Bunkie area.

Kojis said it is not a sure thing, but a four-day school week is a distinct possibility.

However, he continued, if that change is made, it will be important that the public wants the change, understands the change and will support the board in making it successful.

The two board members addressed the council at its Feb. 14 meeting.

“There are pros and cons to this,” Kojis said.

“I am not saying we will do it, but I want you to be aware of what we might do,” he added.

TUESDAY - FRIDAY

The four-day proposal would be to have school Tuesday through Friday. Schools would not be in session on Mondays.

Teachers overwhelmingly support the proposal, Kojis said.

Most comments he has heard in opposition to a four-day week are from parents concerned about child care for the Monday when the kids are no longer in school.

While that is a legitimate issue in making the change, it really isn’t something the School Board should use as a determining factor in making its decision, the board members noted.

“The school system is there to educate your kids, not babysit your kids,” Kojis said.

“It isn’t about what the teachers want,” Bunkie City Councilman Travis Armand said. “It isn’t about what is convenient for parents. It’s about what is best for the education of the children.”

Armand is also a public school teacher.

Kojis said advantages to a four-day week include providing an incentive to recruiting new teachers and attracting certified teachers from neighboring school systems, which would eliminate a major issue for the school district.

“It will save a little money, but that is not why we would adopt it,” he added.

Robinson said some towns and churches have already come forward with promises to provide programs for school-aged children on Mondays. He asked the Bunkie council and citizens attending the meeting for their support in providing such programs should the 4-day week be adopted.

“I know it’s different,” Robinson said. “I was in school when we went from being able to wear what we wanted to wearing school uniforms. I hated it, but now it’s not a problem.”

“If we do it, everybody has to do it -- charter school, parochial schools -- because we provide the transportation to those schools,” Kojis noted.

He said parents of children in those schools should also make their opinions known. Teachers in those schools support the change, he added.

LONGER SCHOOL DAY

The school day might start 10 or 15 minutes earlier and end about an hour later, Kojis said.

Robinson said research indicates the four-day week would help with the distrIct’s problem in finding substitute bus drivers.

Districts with a four-day week said the schedule has reduced teacher and student absenteeism.

Although saving money is not the driving force behind considering adopting a 4-day week, Kojis said the School Board “will need to save every dollar we can” with Red River Charter Academy planning to open in the 2019-20 school year.

School district officials have said the system will lose about $1 million in state funds when Red River opens as a grade 6-8 middle school.

That amount will increase each year as the charter school adds a high school grade until it is a 6-12 high school.

NOT THIS YEAR

If the board decides to adopt a 4-day week, Kojis said the change would certainly not be made during this current school year, but could be implemented for the 2019-20 year.

“We welcome your comments on this issue,” Kojis said. “Feel free to call us or text us. All I ask is that you think about it and think about your reasons for being for it or against it before you make your decision about it.”

The board members urged citizens to contact the School Board office and their board members to let them know if they support or oppose the proposed scheduling change.