BY CRAIG WENZEL
A four-day school week proposal was favored by 69 percent of the students who responded to a survey on the matter. Their parents favor the plan at a rate of 64%. But when it comes to Wessington Springs school staff members, the figure drops quite dramatically as only 30% of those who filled out the survey were in favor of the four-day school week.
Residents living in the Wessington Springs school district had the opportunity to express their feelings about a plan that could result in a four-day school week in the local schools. According to WSHS supt. of schools Lance Witte, there were 133 respondents to a survey that asked a series of questions.
The results of the survey will assist the Wessington Springs Board of Education in making a decision regarding the 2010-11 school year that begins next fall.
Nearly 45 percent of those responding to the survey were of school age as 59 students filled out the survey form and returned it. The second largest group was 42 parents, or about 32 percent of the total.
The survey asked the question, “Do you favor Wessington Springs using a four-day week, the traditional five-day week, or a hybrid model for one week a month that would be a four-day week
Pro and Con:
True Dakotan asked: Does the school feel that enough people responded to the survey to give them a good feel for what the students/community want?
Supt. Witte answered:
We feel we had appropriate response rate by students (80%) and staff (60%), I was a little disappointed with the few number of participants that participated.
True Dakotan asked
What is the next step for the board?
Supt. Witte answered:
The BOE is going to review the feedback and make decisions at next month’s BOE meeting in preparation for staff negotiations.
True Dakotan asked:
Do you feel the likelihood of this happening is good?
Supt. Witte answered:
I believe the BOE and administration will look at the Hybrid Model as the majority are not in support or in opposition. This will give a good feel for what a four day model will do for the education of the school district.
True Dakotan asked:
What are some of the advantages in having a four-day school week?
Supt. Witte answered:
Wessington Springs School District’s primary objective to moving towards a four day school week approach is to provide staff with time for necessary professional development to ensure implementation of specific results related to the strategic plan. There would be some cost savings to the district as well.
True Dakotan asked:
What are some disadvantages?
Supt. Witte answered:
Some concerns would be adequate daycare provisions in our community, unsupervised children in our community and providing the same quality of education in a shorter amount of contact time.
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