School District 27J, in Brighton, could be getting rid of the typical five-day week and replacing it with a four-day week instead. Several forums have been scheduled to discuss the possibility.
School District 27J could be switching things up in the 2018-19 school year. The district has been discussing the possibility of replacing the traditional five-day school week with a four-day week. Three community forums have been set for students, parents, and other individuals who may have some concerns or questions about the proposed plan: The first will take place on Wednesday, January 31, at 27J District's training room. On the following Wednesday (February 7), there will be another meeting at Stuart Middle School, in the cafeteria. And finally, if you end up missing the first two, there is a third one scheduled for Monday, February 12, at West Ridge Elementary School's cafeteria. Each forum will be an hour long, starting at 7 p.m. A final decision will be announced no later than March 23.
So, why does School District 27J want to decrease the number of student contact days per week? Well, according to the district's FAQ page, there are five main reasons (pulled directly from the website):
- To create a schedule that acts as an enticement for recruiting and retaining quality teachers;
- To create a schedule that meets 27J Schools' teaching and learning needs yet creates budget efficiencies that allow for the reallocation of resources to items more critical to our primary purpose of ensuring that all students have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for present and future competence and success;
- To reorganize and recreate staff development that allows 27J Schools to achieve high efficiencies in educating our students;
- To create a school calendar that elevates instructional time and minimizes disruptions to school staff; and
- To achieve these objectives through a schedule that is clean, clear, and concise, making it less difficult for families to manage.