Possible 4-Day Student Contact Week Benefits and Challenges

As we consider this significant shift in our educational approach, it's crucial to navigate through the myriad of benefits and challenges such a change entails. This initiative aims not only to enhance the quality of education but also to address the well-being and work-life balance of our students and staff. Here, we will delve into the potential impacts of a shortened contact week, examining everything from academic performance and student engagement to logistical considerations and community feedback. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview that supports an informed and collaborative decision-making process. Join us as we explore the possibilities, backed by research, insights, and the shared experiences of other districts that have embarked on this journey.

Family Supports and Supplemental Resources

Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
•Supplemental Food & FCRC: Ability to provide family supports later into the afternoon would help some families	•Backpack program through Idaho Foodbank would change distribution day to Thursday. The backpacks would need additional food for the weekend.
• MV & Foster Care: Possible savings on transportation costs for McKinney-Vento and foster care families.	•Providing services to families may be more difficult on Friday (depending on staff schedules)
•Migrant Ed: Recruiting can be scheduled later into the afternoon/evening.	•Students that need tutoring would have less after school time to schedule tutoring.

Athletics and Activities

Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
•Allows for Travel Time: Staff and students have a travel time that does not take them out of class to attend events.	•Potential for fewer actual practice sessions on some weeks.
•Hosting Events: Longer tournaments and state events are less likely to overlap with instruction and other facility usage needs. Additionally, hosting such events may be easier with more staff.
•Fall/Winter/Spring: Trimester athletics and some activities align well with the trimester schedule and a proposed 6th hour course that could be offered for elective credit alleviates the need for later practices.	•Three season athletes and activity students may feel like they are losing one elective option, going from 16-15 per year.
•Additional Practice Time: Athletes and performers in need of additional practice time could use Friday (None student day) for targeted supports.

Curriculum & Instruction Considerations

	Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
Instructional Time	•Longer school days can allow for more in-depth exploration of subjects. •Opportunities for hands-on, creative and varied lesson planning.	•Reduced time for additional learning activities and projects. •Adjusting to new schedules and potentially increased preparation time.
Professional Development	•Cost savings for PD substitutes on school days •Additional days for teacher training and collaboration with PLTs to focus on student achievement. •Reduced need to pull teachers for PD during student contact time. •Time for HRS planning •Time for data analysis and time to plan a response	•Availability of trainers on PD days.
Curriculum	•Teachers may have more time to gain proficiency with their curriculum. •More time to collaborate with their team on implementing curriculum for better student understanding.	•The misconception that there is a difficulty fitting the entire curriculum into fewer days. •Adjusting course overview documents. However, these may need adjusted based on new high school schedule anyway.
English Language Supports	•Longer student days would allow for longer periods of co-teaching between classroom teachers and EL Specialists	•Less student contact days to complete required screeners and annual language assessments

Special Education Considerations

	Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
Family Impact	•Family time •Student mental health	•Childcare costs •Student mental health
Schedules	•Less days off due to Monday Holidays •Targeted intervention & Meetings on 5th day •Larger block for PLC/PD for Staff •Service minutes don't change	•Longer school days •Basic needs (meal schedules) •Testing/paperwork vs. Instructional Time •60-day timeline
Student Support	•Longer scheduled time during day •Prioritize student actual needs •Time for outside appointments	•Less days of contact time
Retention/ Recoupment	•Staff mental health •Staff time with family •Opportunity to contract with other entities
Contracted & Related Services	•Contracted- pick up additional outside services •Related Services- Opportunity to contract w/other districts	•Retention of Contracted Staff •Less contract time to complete paperwork

HR Considerations

	Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
Retention	•Fewer employees leaving for other districts •Turnover has decreased •Staff morale is very positive
Recruitment	•Receive more applications •Quality candidates applying
Absenteeism	•Thursdays have not become the new "Friday" •Staff are utilizing Fridays for appointments	•Still have high absenteeism on Mondays •Continue to see more leave taken in October and April
Subs	•Like the flexibility of subbing in other districts on Friday	•Possible increase in sub pay
Schedules	•Classified adding PD days •Flexibility	•Less hours, increase hourly rate
Benefits	•Available for all employees at 30 hours •PERSI

Operations

	Possible Benefits	Possible Challenges
Technology	•Could now have the capability to undertake projects in-house, like wiring installation, that we would typically outsource.	•Managing a two-shift schedule to ensure that staff are available for the longer daily hours
Maintenance	•Time to complete projects and maintenance when students are not in the building	•Accommodating two shifts to maintain an open Friday for projects when students are not on campus.
Nutrition	•Possible, increase in sales with two lunches at the secondary.	•Loss of revenue. •Staffing might be more challenging on a four-day work week. •Loss of staffing due to reduction of income from sales.