Hope School Board Special Called Meeting

The Hope Public School Board met in the administrative building for a special called meeting on Thursday (2-29). The topic was the school schedule. There were three options presented which were a traditional calendar, an alternative calendar with school starting on August 14th and a hybrid calendar with school starting on May 25th. After the presentation of the options and the recommendation of the Personnel Policy Committee, reactions from the board were expressed.  Board Member Linda Haynes expressed concern about how it would effect the relationship with the Co-op and and  the college.  Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley noted change can be scary and equals loss on some level but said the co-op will adapt to their schedule. Board Member Bubba Powers said the district isn’t “married” to the calendar and can change it.  Dr. Crossley responded the district would have to apply for a waiver to modify after the seventh cycle.

Jill Self, leader of the PPC stated the traditional calendar doesn’t seem to be working.  She noted there is high absenteeism and it is based on an outdated agricultural model. There have been concerns expressed as people do not want to go to a year-round system.  The hybrid option would offer seven weeks vacation in the summer and not 9 or 10 weeks before a break. It would be 180 days total in three week units.

The faculty and staff overwhelmingly leaned towards the hybrid model. When asked Self stated the PPC is comfortable with slowly moving in that direction and faculty and staff will work to make it happen.

Board president Mr. Hamilton asked what difference the schedule would make with absenteeism. Self responded that the thought is if we have the breaks it will alleviate stress and give more time to get things done. She stated she spends all day Sunday grading and having more time would allow her to do other things. Self said what was done in the classroom in the past is very different from what we do now.

Misty Flowers, School Secretary was asked about her concerns and she said pay in advance would be required and there would be challenges in getting all the paperwork done.

Dr. Crossley stated there would be extended contracts.

Haynes stated she was in favor of a shorter summer but was concerned over the sudden change. Dr. Crossley stated the Alternate calendar was a middle option.

With concern expressed about how the schedule would affect the students,  Self said with concurrent classes some students already had a different schedule and very few of these students rode the bus. She said these students were used to adapting and further noted the reality is in education is to adapt and make it work. If students normally attend camp when school is scheduled it becomes a school activity.

Board Member Jimmy Courtney asked if the schools could accommodate K-2 students when the schools had time off as these students can’t be left at home and parents can’t take off a week.  Dr. Crossley’s response was the district should run summer school programs when they are off, paying staff to do them and running the buses. He noted not all superintendents agreed with his position with their concerns about staffing. Haynes stated someone would have to be asked to be at the schools for the students.  Dr. Crossley said students and staff would be given the option of opting out on these extra days. He talked about change to allow for hours attended to be counted instead of days. As an option he stated if the schools didn’t release earlier, a 3 day weekend could be put in the calendar.

While Dr. Crossley stated the decision could be made quickly he wanted to make sure people were on-board with the decision.  Self stated the vote wasn’t necessarily a vote for the hybrid but against the traditional system.  Haynes expressed concern about a sudden switch stating the voting split hadn’t been overwhelming.  Courtney asked if the decision could be made the following year stating he liked the hybrid model but said he wanted time for everyone to go to it.  Self stated she fights change but saw the need for the change to happen.

Dr. Crossley suggested the PPC could change and modify the parameters as they chose and there could be two options offered to be voted on in the March meeting with a decision today of applying for a waiver.  A member of the PPC stated the concern that pushing it back a year  would amount to two modifications happening at the same time – the middle school shift and the calendar.

Mr. Powers made a motions for the alternative calendar schedule. The motion was seconded and passed. As the PPC will make changes this will mean school starting at some point in August and ending sometime in May.