HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Havre Public Schools Superintendent Craig Mueller spoke with New Media Broadcasters by phone on Wednesday to discuss the District’s decision to remain in a five-day school week for 2022-23.
Mueller made the recommendation to the Board, which passed the motion 5-3. He gave several reasons for his recommendation, including the need for stability following a tumultuous period of having to navigate the pandemic.
“I know there won’t be a return to complete normalcy, but I would like for us to be able to establish some good grounding over the course of the next year. We’re looking at, in three different buildings, we’re going to have new administrative leadership, that’s not necessarily an issue of concern, but I think it’s a lot to ask of our schools as they transition. We’re looking at new leadership, we’re looking at another year of hopefully, something returning to more consistency and believing that we are heading in the right direction. And coming out of this pandemic with our eyes on the future and knowing that alternative scheduling is always something that we’re going to be able to talk about and work toward. But at this time, I think that we are best fit in our five-day schedule. So that was kind of the fuel behind my recommendation.”
Mueller says the issue of ensuring students have access to lunch on Fridays remains an outstanding issue that needs to be addressed if the District were to shorten the school week.
“We have a pretty high free and reduced lunch population. I think us providing meals to our students is important. I think us providing a location for our students to get emotional support five-days-a-week is important, especially coming out of a pandemic. The calendars that we looked at, some in other districts did have the availability for students to come in on Fridays. Those weren’t considerations with those that went to the Board, and to totally kind of break from what we are currently doing. And in some regards, I would like to see us – our standardized test scores are one area of concern. Our drop out rate is another area of concern. What can we do to address those measures, rather than facing yet another change. So while at the same time I understand where (people) are looking at a four-day week for a variety of reasons, almost every one of them that can be given either by me or from the other perspective can be challenged. And that’s what makes it so difficult.”
The calendar selected by the Board has a start date to the school year of August 15th, which Mueller says provided for more flexibility and additional days off in the middle of the year.
“I do realize that other Districts have had success with the four day week. I know that our Board is open to ideas that are not only going to help with teacher retention, but also help in the area of student achievement. So a vote and recommendation for a five-day week is a one year calendar. And I think that in our option three, starting a little bit earlier is one way that we’re going to be able to address issues that have been longstanding at our High School and Middle School. Our first semester will end before Christmas break. When students return in January, they’ll be starting their second semester fresh and new. That aligns very nicely with what we’re trying to do in increasing opportunities for dual credit classes. So as a second semester at the college level starts in January, our students will be all signed up and ready to go. And hopefully providing even additional opportunities in dual credit in the coming year. So I think there are changes with the calendar in option three that increase four-day week opportunities. They are not all where they are Fridays off. We have a couple week where we have some Mondays off. So we did hear the concerns of teachers, but we’re also trying to do what’s best for all of the students and staff members in the District.”
As for the drop-out rate, that is expected to be addressed at future meetings. Mueller says it is important to make sure students feel valued.
