The four-day school week was the last topic of discussion at the Dec. 15, Gallatin R-5 board meeting. But it was the topic that everyone wanted to talk about.
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Since the last board meeting, Gallatin administrators, counselors, some faculty members, and four board members have visited both the Albany and Lathrop school districts to compile information about the four-day week. According to Superintendent Dennis Croy, feedback about the proposed change has been favorable.
Public meetings will be scheduled in January to inform the public about the proposed change and to give people the opportunity to voice opinions and ask questions. The school will also compile a pamphlet with the facts about the four-day school week, in an effort to provide the public with all necessary information about the change.
Officials at the Albany and Lathrop schools have indicated that although there is concern initially for the increased day care costs for parents, these costs have not been an issue in those districts.
"Finances cannot be the only reason to make this change," said Supt. Croy, "but there are other good reasons to change." The four-day week give students over 20 more hours of instructional time per year and doubles professional development time for teachers.
And, in spite of the savings gained by changing to the four-day week, cuts will still need to be made, because the foundation formula still provides inadequate funding.
The question, according to Mr. Croy, is "Are we more comfortable cutting programs or teachers?" He says that the Gallatin administration and board prefers to try the four-day week as a cost saver in preference to cutting teachers. "Given the options, we are trying to save positions and protect our people as well as we can," he said.
The school plans to send additional teachers to visit the two four-day school districts. Board members who have visited the Albany and Lathrop schools were Brice Terry, Jesse Bird, Trent Dowell and Priscilla Whitt.
In other business at the Dec. 15 meeting, the agenda was approved and the next meeting was set for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.
Public comments were read from the Strasser family and Matt Blythe.
The board approved the consent calendar for the payment of bills and the minutes from the last meeting. Mr. Croy gave a report about activities for the past month, covering several topics, including the recent bomb threat, its response and comments from law enforcement agencies and the public.
Mr. Croy also reported on the recently completed Gallatin Tournament, work on the bus barn, insurance, policy updates, the school improvement plan, basketball schedules, and other topics.
Mr. Elbert followed with the high school report on activities, enrollment, attendance and the financial report from the recent tournament. He also handed out a schedule for the upcoming NCMC Holiday Shootout for the Bulldog teams. Mrs. Cox followed with her report on the elementary school activities, enrollment and attendance.
The board was reminded about a change in bus drivers for a route for the second semester. Gordon Harrah will be taking over in January. Mr. Croy also gave a report on repairs and other information about bus #7.
The board accepted a bid from CPSK for property and liability insurance for the coming year.
Mrs. Becky Adkison then gave a vocational report on the Family and Consumer Science program and the FCCLA Chapter.
Mr. Croy handed out newly completed and updated copies of the CSIP (school improvement plan) for the board to look over. The board will vote on acceptance of this plan in January.
He also handed out information on new policy from the Missouri School Board Association on policy GBH, or more commonly called the "facebook law." The board is to review this policy and vote on its acceptance in January as well.
The board voted to take a short recess before entering into closed session. Closed session topics included the completed superintendent’s evaluation, personnel discussion and discussion on student issues.
Following the executive session the board reconvened in open session for discussion topics. Laurie Roll was offered a contract to assist with the high school play. Mr. Croy was offered an additional year of employment, with the salary to be determined later in the year, at the same time the certified and non-certified staff contracts and salary schedule are approved. Doug Nichols and Angel Michael were offered contracts to coach elementary basketball.
Mr. Croy then handed out information on the upcoming budget. This included information from DESE on different scenarios about funding of the foundation formula. He also presented information on different options for reducing the loss in revenue in food service for the district. He is to report back to the board in January with additional information about this topic.
The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Attending the meeting were board members Brice Terry, Jesse Bird, Tim Bradford, Priscilla Whitt, Trent Dowell, Dr. Bill Irby and Tim Tadlock; administrators Superintendent Dennis Croy, Principals Toni Cox and Chris Elbert; Lynda Swopes, board secretary; and teacher representatives Becky Adkison, Jenny Adkison, Susan Allen, Kevin Meyer and Amy Meyer. Guests were Amanda King and Rebecca Boyd.