Early release Fridays requested as school board mulls 2018 calendar

WORLAND — With next year’s school calendar already set, the Washakie County School District No. 1 administration has begun work on the 2018-2019 calendar year.

Superintendent David Nicholas reported at Monday’s regular board of trustees meeting that four options have been developed. He said in addition to the different calendars that include different start and end dates, he also asked the board to consider a weekly early release on Fridays.

Nicholas said the board is asking the teachers to do more and to work together more but they need time to do that. He is proposing early release each Friday at 1:30 p.m. with teachers staying until the end of the day to work on professional development.

He said he requested information from districts around the state and 14 of the 16 that got back to Nicholas have early release on Fridays.

“You’re asking us to do more and not providing the time. So in these calendars you see some options to do a Friday early release,” Nicholas said. He said the early release would provide time during a work day to have grade-level meetings, curriculum meetings, team meetings; we have a lot of meetings. That would provide a time to do that. I want to present that idea publicly, say it out loud.”

Nicholas said those on the district’s email notification system will be notified once a survey outlining the four calendar options and the options for early release is up on Survey Monkey so the district can have public input.

He said even though the calendar is set for next year, he would like the board to consider the early release for next year as well. Nicholas said as for the hours for student to teacher ratio, all the schools would be fine if the early release was incorporated next year, but he added that the high school was close and if there was a snow day or the school year at the high school may have to be extended.

“The PD (professional development) time for the staff is getting to be a constant discussion at the administrative level and I think we recognize our folks are doing more and I think it’s time. We’ve created a desire to work together, and we see them working together, we see them doing the work, they won’t be wasting time,” Nicholas said.

He said Friday afternoon might not be the best time for professional development but it is the best for students. Worland High School Kevin Smith said about 40 percent of the student body can be gone on a typical Friday and that would include advisors and coaches.

Smith added that at the high school with the Orange Period schedule on Wednesdays, teachers have time before school to meet with classes starting later on Wednesdays. He said more teachers and students are there than would be on Friday.

He did add, “Friday afternoon is good though. We can do a lot of good things.”

Nicholas said he realizes the early release will be tough on some parents, especially with elementary students, wondering what to do with students when released that early. He added, however, “We have some ideas.”

Curriculum Director Jody Rakness said a 21st Century Grant provides funding for the after-school program at the Worland Youth Learning Center. If the board opts for the early release, she would adjust the next grant request to seek additional funding for programming starting at 1:30 p.m. on Fridays.

In regard to other calendar options, board member Anna Venable expressed concern with the option that had 14 weeks off in the summer. Nicholas said the option was provided to address concerns he has heard about why the district doesn’t start after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day. The calendar eliminates a spring break.

Chairman Don Bryant suggested the board go over the options during a retreat that will be held in January or February.

Nicholas said that would be fine, adding “There’s no wild rush to do anything. Next year’s calendar is set, but I would encourage the board to look at the early release.”

More on Monday’s Washakie County School District No. 1 board meeting will be published in Wednesday’s issue.