Shorter school year proposed as solution to funding cuts
RENTON, Wash. - Schools across Washington state are trying to guess what the Legislature will do with their funding - and they're putting together budgets to meet the challenge.
In Renton, there's talk of shortening the school year to cut costs. That may not be the solution that anyone really wants - but the Renton School District says the Senate budget would slash funding by about $3 million, and cuts must be made somewhere.
So the district asked parents - should we cut programs or the school year? And most parents said they preferred a shorter school year.
"We've asked the parents in our community, 'Would you rather us cut the days or continue to cut programs?' says Randy Matheson, spokesman for the Renton School District. "And right now about 95 percent of those responding have said, 'Cut school days.'"
But not all parents agreed with that approach.
"I think school is very important for children, the social aspects, the educational aspects," says parent Shawna Nelson. "I think it would be better for them to stay in even longer than they do now."
She isn't the only one who feels that way.
"I think the students should be in all year long truthfully - like they do in Europe and other countries where students and whatever are way ahead of us," says Gary Marstrom.
The proposal for a shorter year means Renton public school students would either get out of school one week early for the summer, or get another week of spring break. Either way, it means five less days in school.
And it might be considered in other school districts as well, because the Senate budget would cut teacher salaries by 3 percent.
"The bottom line is, if you are taking a 3 percent cut in pay, then you go less time in the classroom," says Kim Read, executive board member with the Washington Education Association, which represents teachers.
So, even though teachers and school districts may agree on the approach, they still have to get permission from the state school superintendent, Randy Dorn. And he's opposed.
"I'm an advocate for kids, and that means keeping them in the classroom," says Dorn. "Cutting the school year - I won't stand for that."
Exactly what that means isn't really clear. The Senate budget calls for districts to reduce teacher salaries by 3 percent. So if Dorn blocks a shorter school year, it probably will translate into layoffs and program cuts.
In Renton, there's talk of shortening the school year to cut costs. That may not be the solution that anyone really wants - but the Renton School District says the Senate budget would slash funding by about $3 million, and cuts must be made somewhere.
So the district asked parents - should we cut programs or the school year? And most parents said they preferred a shorter school year.
"We've asked the parents in our community, 'Would you rather us cut the days or continue to cut programs?' says Randy Matheson, spokesman for the Renton School District. "And right now about 95 percent of those responding have said, 'Cut school days.'"
But not all parents agreed with that approach.
"I think school is very important for children, the social aspects, the educational aspects," says parent Shawna Nelson. "I think it would be better for them to stay in even longer than they do now."
She isn't the only one who feels that way.
"I think the students should be in all year long truthfully - like they do in Europe and other countries where students and whatever are way ahead of us," says Gary Marstrom.
The proposal for a shorter year means Renton public school students would either get out of school one week early for the summer, or get another week of spring break. Either way, it means five less days in school.
And it might be considered in other school districts as well, because the Senate budget would cut teacher salaries by 3 percent.
"The bottom line is, if you are taking a 3 percent cut in pay, then you go less time in the classroom," says Kim Read, executive board member with the Washington Education Association, which represents teachers.
So, even though teachers and school districts may agree on the approach, they still have to get permission from the state school superintendent, Randy Dorn. And he's opposed.
"I'm an advocate for kids, and that means keeping them in the classroom," says Dorn. "Cutting the school year - I won't stand for that."
Exactly what that means isn't really clear. The Senate budget calls for districts to reduce teacher salaries by 3 percent. So if Dorn blocks a shorter school year, it probably will translate into layoffs and program cuts.
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