Budget Constraints Lead to Four-Day School Weeks, While Funds Are Diverted Elsewhere

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As financial challenges mount, students are facing the consequences.

For some students, a longer weekend every week might seem like a dream. However, in Oklahoma, a growing number of schools are adopting a four-day week, which highlights significant issues with budgeting and priorities. Unfortunately, it is the children who are suffering due to adult decisions.

The concept of a shortened school week originated in 2009 when Oklahoma enacted a bill to help schools deal with cancellations caused by inclement weather. Previously, students were required to attend school for six hours per day over 180 days. The new legislation allowed schools to meet their educational obligations either through 180 six-hour days or by providing 1,080 hours of instruction per year. This change enabled schools to extend the school day by about 45 minutes while only holding classes four days a week.

Years of tax cuts and dwindling sales tax revenues have led to a severe budget crisis for schools in Oklahoma. Many have already eliminated extracurricular programs such as music and art. Some institutions have even begun charging students to participate in sports, and teachers have not seen a pay raise since 2008. According to reports, Oklahoma ranked 49th in the nation for teacher salaries in 2013. As a result, many educators are opting to cross state lines for better pay. The four-day workweek is viewed as a strategy to retain teachers and reduce operational costs by closing schools one day a week and saving on utilities and transportation expenses.

A survey conducted by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association revealed that of the 513 school districts in Oklahoma, 96 have transitioned to a four-day school week by eliminating classes on either Fridays or Mondays. This marks a significant increase, with the number of districts on a shortened week quadrupling since 2013.

Research by Andrew Marshall, a state education official, indicates that while students may perform better initially with a four-day schedule, their long-term performance tends to decline as teachers struggle to keep pace with lesson plans. “It’s easy for routines to slip back into old patterns,” he stated.

The impact on working parents is significant, as many rely on a conventional school schedule to manage their jobs. Additionally, for students who depend on subsidized meals, having one less day of school each week could exacerbate food insecurity. Superintendent Lisa Grant from the Oakwood district has voiced concerns over the 85 percent of students eligible for subsidized meals, advocating for a return to a five-day schedule.

With the current administration’s educational budget proposals, it seems unlikely that conditions for Oklahoma’s students will improve anytime soon. Children are our future, but if we do not invest in their education, we risk jeopardizing that future.

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Summary:

The shift to a four-day school week in Oklahoma, driven by budgetary constraints, reflects deeper issues within the educational system. While intended to save costs and retain teachers, this change adversely impacts students, particularly those reliant on school meals. The challenges posed by inadequate funding raise concerns about the future of education in the state.