This fall, Oxford students could be reporting to school on Aug. 25 if the State of Michigan accepts a waiver from Oxford Schools to start classes before the Labor Day holiday instead of after.
According to Superintendent Tim Throne this proposed schedule comes on the back of the state’s mandate to increase the number of days students are in school from 175 to 180 beginning with the 2016-17 year.
Throne explained that in previous years, it didn’t matter how many days you were in school. As long as you met the minimum 1,098 hours, ‘you were good,? he said.
That changed this year. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Nancy Latowski said currently, the state requirement is 1,098 hours of instruction and 175 days.
‘I think the thought process (from the state) is that the more days is a better educational plan for students,? Latowski explained. ‘It is true, it is good for them to have a longer school year, however, it does cost districts (money).?
‘Our operational cost is going to go up no matter what because doors are open, lights are on and busses are running for five more days,? Throne added.
According to Superintendent of Business and Operations Sam Barna, the extra time would cost an estimated $12,400 per day for a total of $62,000.
‘My estimate is based upon last year’s audited (financial statements), but also adjusts for (year-to-year cost increases) and assumed consumption of additional utilities,? said Barna, noting that more than 91 percent of the cost increase is transportation-related.
He also pointed out the increase doesn’t include food costs.
‘Our food service department’s costs are offset entirely by revenues generated during these additional days,? he said. ‘So, there is no additional net cost that the district bares from a food service standpoint.?
Because Oxford has to add five more days to their calendar next year, Latowski said the district feels it’s better to add them at the beginning rather than the end, which is why they are seeking the waiver from the state.
‘The thought is if we put the days at the beginning of the school year, that helps us better prepare the students for testing,? she said. ‘In terms of the quality of education, students are much more enthused at the beginning of the year.?
Oxford Education Association (OEA) President Jim Gibbons said the teachers union agrees with the district about the early start.
‘We worked together with the district to come up with the (proposed) calendar,? Gibbons said.
According to Gibbons, a survey was sent out to teachers with five general questions pertaining to the school year calendar and one specific question concerning the adding days in August as opposed to June.
‘We wanted to know how everybody felt. We discussed (the) pro and cons and all of that,? he explained. ‘The vote came back and it was 2-1 in favor of adding days to August.?
Gibbons said adding days at the beginning of the year ‘makes way, way more sense.?
‘From an educational standpoint, what we know is that all of the (state) testing that we do, those are fixed dates. It’s not like we can adjust those dates or anything like that, so (adding) days in June, doesn’t help our students on the AP test. It doesn’t help our students on the SAT,? he said. ‘If we’re going to add the days, we might as well add them (where) we’re going to get the most bang for the buck.?
However, not everyone thinks starting school prior to Labor Day is a good idea.
The Oxford Leader received an e-mail from ‘Oxford area parents,? who say they ‘represent a large group of discreet parents who oppose the proposed school schedule for the upcoming school year.?
According to the e-mail this group is upset because they don’t feel parents were given a chance to provide input.
The group believes the proposed plan cuts into families? vacations times and that family traditions and summer camps will be impacted by the early start. They also believe removing the August 22-29 week from the summer schedule will not only ‘hurt local Oxford area businesses, but all of Michigan’s travel destinations.?
‘Families will enter their school routines early and therefore, will not be spending time and money in other places,? the e-mail stated. ‘This is one of the main (reasons why) Michigan agreed to begin the school year after Labor Day.?
When it comes to the parents? perspective, Latowski said, ‘It’s definitely something to consider.?
‘But even within our own school community, typically when we ask what they want in a calendar, it’s 50-50,? she said. ‘In terms of the summer vacation period, a lot of people want their children to get out in June, so they can go on vacation. Then, there are some that want it in August, so it’s usually a balance, because either you start your vacation time in June or in August.?
Throne said getting teachers? opinions is also getting parents? perspectives.
‘Many of our staff (members) either live in the district and their kids come here or our staff (that live outside the district), through schools of choice, bring their kids here,? he added. ‘So, when we are asking for input from our teachers, we’re also asking input from our parents.?
The group was also opposed to the proposed winter break, which is set to begin on Dec. 23 and run through Jan. 9.
‘The holiday season ends on Jan. 1, there is no need to extend the winter break beyond the first of January. Students should be back in the classroom on Monday, Jan. 2,? the e-mail stated. ‘The week of Jan. 2-6 has typically cold and unappealing weather conditions causing children to stay inside and (be) homebound. Parents of students typically do not have this time off from their jobs, nor do they want to use their hard-earned vacation days and struggle to arrange/pay for care during this particular week.?
With regard to winter break, Latowski said that was set in accordance to the county’s Intermediate School District (ISD) calendar.
‘We try to take the county calendar into consideration, too, because you have students that go to (Oakland School Technical Campuses) and some of those other things, where we (have) got to make sure we’re in session the days they’re in session,? Throne added. ‘It doesn’t do us any good if they’re holding school and we’re not and vice versa.?
Gibbons agreed.
‘I will never discount how parents feel and all of that stuff, but they need to understand that there is a reason and logic and a whole lot of factors that go into how we build and make the calendar,? he said.
Gibbons noted that most private and charter schools start prior to Labor Day.
Latowski said another reason for starting in August is because many school activities have already started up at the high school as far as fall sports and marching band.
Throne said they do their best to consider everyone’s input, but he knows they’ll never make everybody happy.
‘At the end of the day, we’re trying to make the best decision collectively and educationally for the district as a whole and stay within all the parameters of the law,? he said.
At this point, Throne said they’re still waiting to hear back from the state as to whether or not the waiver request will be granted. It’s not guaranteed. Some districts that have made the same request have been accepted, while others have not, according to Throne.
‘Obviously, if they approve it and things are looking pretty good, we’ll say, ‘Yep, this is what we’re going to do going forward,? he said. ‘If they deny it, then we go back to square one and figure out how the calendar will look starting after Labor Day.?