MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Day School Week – Were really not crazy 4-Day School Week – Were really not crazy

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, MACCRAY District Information

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Location of MACCRAY X

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Populations

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Sites MACCRAY East ElementaryMACCRAY West Elementary MACCRAY Jr./Sr. High School

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Seasonal Comparison

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Staffing 105 total staff – bus drivers are not MACCRAYs employees Slightly more than half of MACCRAYs certified staff members are 50 years of age or more and have served the district for 20 or more years Several other staff members are over 50, but havent served in the district for 20+ years

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Budget Total budget (all funds) is slightly more than $8,000,000 General fund reduced by $800,000 from to = 11% General fund reduced by another $300,000 from to

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Budget Reduction Planning Process Step 1 - Explored options –Reduce certified staff by 4.0 FTEs –Close an elementary building –Transition to 4-day school week –Offer an early retirement/leave of absence incentive for our most experienced teachers –Offer taxpayers the opportunity to further support education (operating levy) Step 2 – Researched 4-Day Week districts - Early February-March

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Day Week Research Suggested Other Benefits More environmentally friendly Increase enrollment Improve attendance of students and staff Improve student morale Decrease discipline referrals

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Effects on the School Day Allow students more elective courses Improved attendance for students and staff Anticipate a decrease in discipline referrals Student achievement stable More instructional time

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Effects on Students Students reported having a better attitude toward school. Academic achievement and standardized test scores reported to be the same or higher. Improved student attendance. Longer class periods allow for more material to be covered. Greater likelihood of student appointments being scheduled for days off. More family time available.

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Mondays could be used to: Complete homework Work on projects Work at a part-time job Complete 20 hour/year service learning requirement Students (continued…)

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Effects on Teachers Fewer absences – teachers can schedule appointments on days off Less need for substitute teachers Longer class periods offer more time to focus on specific projects, especially those of a hands-on nature Increased staff development time

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, States with 4-day districts Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Idaho Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Minnesota Montana New Mexico Oregon South Dakota Texas Utah Wyoming

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Budget Reduction Process (continued…) Step 3 – Contacted MDE for guidance –Early March Step 4 – Held Community Meetings –Late March to early April Step 5 – Waiting period to hear from community and transportation providers –Early April to mid-May Step 6 – Board approval –May 12, 2008

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Reduce expenses Maintain elective offerings Minimize staff reductions Reasons for the Change

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Estimated Savings Substitute Teacher Costs $9,023 Transportation Costs$65,201 Energy Savings$16,374 Maintenance Costs $3,611 Faculty Mileage Reimbursement $994 Total $95,203

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Budget Reduction Process (continued…) Step 7 – Approval from MDE –Request for flexible school year submitted on May 20, 2008 –Additional information was submitted on June 5, 2008 –3-year approval communicated on July 1, 2008

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Snapshot of the 4- Day Week

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Day Schedule Monday is the off day. Staff in-service days were moved from Fridays to Mondays. School IS scheduled on nine (9) Mondays. Four (4) five-day weeks throughout the year.

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Student Day st bell8:12 a.m. Period 18:15 – 9:02 Period 2 9:05 – 9:52 Period 39:55 – 10:42 Period 410:45 – 11:32 1 st Lunch 11:32 – 11:57 Period 5A11:35 – 12:22 Period 5B11:57 – 12:44 2 nd Lunch12:22 – 12:47 Period 612:47 – 1:34 Period 71:37 – 2:24 Period 82:27 – 3:14 47 minute class periods st Bell7:57 a.m. Period 18:00 – 8:55 Period 2 8:58 – 9:53 Period 39:56 – 10:51 Period 410:54 – 11:49 1 st Lunch 11:49 – 12:14 Period 5A11:52 – 12:47 Period 5B12:14 – 1:09 2 nd Lunch12:47 – 1:12 Period 61:12 – 2:07 Period 72:10 – 3:05 Period 83:09 - 4:04 55 minute class periods Additional 65 minutes per day

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, min/day x 172 days: 72,068 minutes Excluding lunch (25 min.) & passing time (18 min.) Excluding lunch (25 min.) & passing time (18 min.) 376 min/day x 172 days = 64,672 minutes ** 484 min/day x 149 days: 72,116 minutes Excluding lunch (25 min.) & passing time (18 min.) Excluding lunch (25 min.) & passing time (18 min.) 441 min/day x 149 days = 65,709 minutes Actual Gain in Instructional Time: Actual Gain in Instructional Time: 1,037minutes (17.28 hours) annually 1,037minutes (17.28 hours) annually Instructional Time Instructional Time

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Teacher Day :45 a.m.–3:44 p.m. 172 student days 7 in-service days 2 conference days 181 contract days :30 a.m. – 4:34 p.m. 149 student days 8.5 in-service days 2 conference days contract days

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Extracurricular Activities Practices will end later (6:15), except on Wednesdays - Community Night (5:45). Events and activities will occur on Monday evenings as usual. Will reschedule events when possible. Thermostats will not be turned up for Monday practices, games, activities No junior high practices on days off

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Our Communities With the extended school day, many students schedules better align with parents work schedules Child care – Families needed to make adjustments to meet change in schedule –Some daycare providers charge a flat fee –MACCRAY Community education (in partnership with 4-H) trained students as babysitters –Fun Day Willmar YMCA

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, EvaluationEvaluation

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, What Weve Learned…. So Far Long days for students that ride the bus –A few students are picked up as early as 6:40 a.m. compared to 6:50 a.m. last year –Elementary-age students get home as late as 5:10 p.m. –Some high school students dont get home from practice until between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Extra-curricular practice times –Coaches in many cases have been more efficient – less down time during practice –Practices go later into the evening than in the past

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, What Weve Learned (continued…) Practices are shorter on Wednesday afternoons (4:15-5:45) Evenings are noticeably shorter for students and staff members Students seem to enjoy having Monday off Staff members seem to enjoy having Mondays off Surprised and amazed at the level of media attention that MACCRAY has received

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Statewide/National International Media Attention Fox News - Americas Newsroom – New York MN 20/20 – St. Paul, MN Associated Press – Raleigh, North Carolina Associated Press – Washington, DC ABC - Good Morning America (WCCO studios) Kyodo News – New York City Kansas City Star – Kansas City, MO Albuquerque, NM Public Schools City of Las Vegas, NV Star Tribune – Minneapolis, MN Paul Harvey

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Media Attention (continued…) Voice of America – Washington, DC Education Week – Richmond, VA NSBA Newsletter – Alexandria, VA AASA Newsletter – Alexandria, VA KRQE Radio – Albuquerque, NM The Telegram – Jackson, OH MSBA – St. Peter, MN Reuters Newswire – New York City WIZM – La Crosse, WI CNN – New York City (sent crew to district) Forbes Magazine LRP Publications – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Media Attention (continued…) ABC Evening News with Charles Gibson (sent crew to district) CBS News with Katie Couric Flat Rock-Hawcreek Schools – Hope, IN Education Minnesota Duluth News Tribune – Duluth, MN BBC – London, UK West Central Tribune – Willmar, MN KSAX Television – Alexandria, MN WCCO Radio – Jack Rice Show WCCO Radio – Bruce Hagevik e-School News

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Media Attention (continued…) Education Week – Bethesda, MD New York Times Newsweek – Boston, MA Minnesota Public Radio National Public Radio – Boston, MA Time Magazine KARE 11 – (sent crew to district) Minnesota News Network Numerous Minnesota school districts Other Minnesota media outlets Many sales reps promising to boost fuel efficiency

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Evaluation MACCRAY evaluation plan: –Parents, students, staff surveys –Community members surveys –Outside evaluations –Assess test scores, failure rates, behavior data, and absentee rates for students and staff –Compare expenses with expenses

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Estimated Savings Substitute Teacher Costs $9,023 Transportation Costs$65,201 Energy Savings$16,374 Maintenance Costs $3,611 Faculty Mileage Reimbursement $994 Total $95,203

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16,

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16,

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Transportation Savings 172 Days149 Days Rural routes$394,595.52$361, Shuttle buses$60,728.04$45, Town route$18,674.04$17, Special Education $89,120.08$73, Total$563,117.68$497,916.53

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Electricity Usage XCEL Energy Usage Comparison (kWh) September-December School Difference West68,71865,594- 3,124 East62,21856,986- 5,232 Junior High17,92319,572+ 1,649 ?? High School149,867144,702- 5,165

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Water/Sewage Usage Water/Sewer Usage Comparison (Gallons) September-December School Difference West151,919174, ,423 * East126,510125,499- 1,011 Junior High25,10020,100- 5,000 High School486,300449, ,400 *Football field watering-summer 2008 was dry.

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, MACCRAY 7-12 students report… having a better attitude toward school – the weeks go so fast! longer class periods allow for more student work to be completed. improved student attendance. more time for the family. Monday is a day to de-stress

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, MACCRAY elementary student comments… Homework needs to be completed before Monday since parents work Mondays. Not enough recess time. I am hungrier during the day I like having two snack times

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, MACCRAY parents report… Nights are very short for elementary aged students Ive been surprised how easy the transition has been (elementary parent) Im enjoying the extra day for appointments and family time (high school parent) Disadvantage for those that have to leave early for sports (high school parent)

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Teachers report… K-6 staff Day goes just as fast as before Were on track with language arts Honestly surprised how well it is going 7-12 staff Love the longer class periods for labs I am a little ahead of where I was last year

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Adjustments Made for Elementary Students SMART program Later breakfast Later lunch times

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, For more information: Four day week

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, QUESTIONS?

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, The four day school week has probably been one of those few decisions made in education in the name of money that actually ended up having educational benefits in terms of academic performance of kids. Joyce Ley, director of Rural Education Program at the Northwest Regional Laboratory in Portland, OR

MSBA Leadership Conference January 15-16, Contact Information Gregory A. (Greg) Schmidt Superintendent MACCRAY Public Schools 711 Wolverine Drive P.O. Box 690 Clara City, MN (phone) Website address: