New elementary school in Altoona also on schedule
A-M board finalizes four-day school week schedule
BUFFALO – A three-day weekend is something that appeals to a majority of students and teachers alike.
Well, the students and staff at Altoona-Midway USD 387 will enjoy those long weekends as a regular part of their schedule for the 2023-24 school year.
Fridays will be part of the extended weekend for Altoona-Midway schools beginning next fall, following a 6-0 vote of the district school board when they met here Monday night for their regular monthly meeting.
“We’re excited about the future of the Altoona-Midway school district,” said Superintendent John West. “Not only will we be moving to a four-day school week next year, but our elementary students will also be returning to their own school, as work on the new Altoona Elementary School is progressing on schedule.
“There are plenty of new and exciting changes in store when the 2023-24 school year gets under way next fall,” West added.
The board actually gave approval to the proposal for a four-day school week at their March 20 meeting. That motion carried by a 6-1 margin. The minutes did not indicate which board member cast the dissenting vote.
Tuesday’s vote was to determine if the additional day out of school would be on Mondays or Fridays.
“One of the biggest reasons for the decision to move to a four-day schedule is to improve our chances for the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers,” West noted.
“We have a great staff here, and we would like to keep them. Because of the (small) size of our district, in the past we have lost some good teachers to surrounding districts that have the ability to pay a little more,” West noted. “With this move, we hope the schedule will be an enticement to allow us to retain those people.”
West also pointed out that there are pros and cons to any decision of this magnitude, and that it should not be considered a panacea for the district.
“The data is mixed right now as far as the educational benefits of a four-day week versus a traditional five-day week,” West said. “Some studies have shown a slight increase in test scores and other instructional data, while others have shown a slight decrease – but the differences have been fairly negligible in most cases.
“There is a fairly recent study from Oregon that showed a large decrease (in educational learning),” West admitted, “but you can’t really compare Oregon to Kansas. I believe in Oregon, they just cut a day off the schedule. Here in Kansas, the state mandates a minimum number of instructional hours be met by each district.”
West pointed out that instructional time for students in the Altoona-Midway district will not be decreased because of the change.
“We will continue to meet the state guidelines regarding instructional time,” West said. “That will not be diminished in any way by this move. Since the school day will be lengthened a bit on Monday through Thursday, the total hours students will be engaged in learning will basically stay the same.”
In early March, the school board hosted two “Town Hall Meetings” to receive input from the public on the proposed schedule change. The meetings were held at the Buffalo Community Center, and at the Altoona fire station.
“We provided information about the proposed change at each town meeting, and then the public was invited to provide input,” West said. “There were questions and concerns about not providing meals and day care needs and things. But at the end of each town meeting, no one spoke up about being adamantly opposed to the change.”
Prior to the town meetings, the school district conducted a survey of the Altoona-Midway patrons. A total of 99 individuals responded to the survey, with 88 percent responding favorably to the switch to a four-day school week.
Nationwide, many school districts have moved to a four-day school week, particularly schools in rural areas.
Proponents of the shortened week claim that it is attractive for recruiting and retaining high quality teachers.
Educators have also pointed to the benefit of a potential cost savings. Proponents say the schedule reduces overhead when you eliminate a full day of bus transportation, food service, and maintenance and operations.
But West was cautious about projecting major financial savings.
“To be honest, most data shows only a very slight cost savings,” he admitted. “We believe the biggest benefit is going to be in the recruitment and retention of staff.”
According to the 2023-24 school year calendar (also approved by the board of education Monday), the regular school day for the Altoona-Midway district next year will be from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
There will actually be three Fridays when students will attend classes next year. Once is the first Friday in January, when students will not return from Christmas break until Wednesday of that week. The other two instances are a result of there being no school on Monday of those weeks.
As for the on-going construction for the new Altoona Elementary School, West implied that work is progressing on schedule.
“All indications are that the elementary school will be finished and ready for students when the new school year begins,” West said.
According to the minutes from the March 20 board meeting, it was reported the metal trusses to the building are mostly in place. The crew was working on the interior and exterior walls leading to the library; metal decking on the roof is progressing very well; electricians are working the gym and the library areas. The report indicated brick work was at a temporary standstill at that moment, but the entrance pillars are complete and the first course around the building has been laid. Carpet, tile and other materials have been selected.
“It’s going to be an excellent facility and we are anxiously awaiting the finished product,” West said.