TVSC Patron Airs Complaints over School Hours Change
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
AKRON – More than anything, Julie Canada told the Tippecanoe Valley School Board Monday she was disappointed the board would vote to approve a change in the school hours without first holding a stakeholders meeting.
At the March meeting, the school board approved changes to Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.’s school hours for the 2012-13 year. Akron and Mentone elementaries will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:40 p.m. The middle school will start at 8:20 a.m. and end at 3:20 p.m., while the high school will start at 8:25 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.
“I find myself in a difficult predicament, an employee of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, a parent of two students within the corporation and that of being a faithfully, dedicated volunteer,” Canada told the board Monday. “In all cases I have a vested interest in our school system. The difficult part is addressing issues I don’t necessarily agree with. I hate confrontation, but at the same time, feel compelled to discuss my concerns regarding the implementation of the new school hours for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.”
She continued, “First, I would like to say that I am extremely disappointed that the school board would vote to approve a change in the school hours without first holding a stakeholders meeting. To have it all said and done and then provide media with the news first seems almost unconstitutional. You have conveniently told the media what you wanted them to know after a decision was made and I am not sure that all parents know. While I do know an attempt was made at parent-teacher conferences in the elementary schools – well, at least Akron – not one person mentioned this to us at conferences in the middle school. I have to say my disappointment continues as this was not ever put on a school board agenda for discussion and input from parents and community members.”
Canada said she read the board’s agendas and minutes, and was at the meeting alone.
“I didn’t bring a posse with me, but I know other parents share my concerns,” she said. “I truly care about our school system. This is not a light matter that affects a few people. It is a major issue with many affected.”
During the March meeting, Superintendent Brett Boggs told the board that research shows that children, especially at the middle and high school levels, achieve better with a later start to the school day and that the student day would be lengthened by 10 minutes.
“My first response to middle and high school students achieve better with a later start day is to say that, are we sacrificing elementary students’ grades to improve high school and middle school grades?” Canada asked last night. “When is the last time any of you have had a kindergartner in your house?”
She said kindergartners as well as first- and second-grade students require more sleep than those in the upper grades. By delaying the start of the school day and getting out later, some kids will not be getting off the bus until around 5 p.m. These young students will more than likely not get to sleep in extra because they will have to maintain the schedule of the parent to get to work at normal working hours.
“Therefore, it is in my opinion that we will see more students in the younger grade levels suffering from sleep issues, which will result in poor academic performance,” Canada said. “Being an employee of the school, I already see kids in the higher elementary classes falling asleep during classroom instruction.”
Middle and high school students should be learning life skills, including good sleeping habits, she said. “Are we providing excuses for this age group by accommodating their lack of responsibility?” she asked.
She asked what type of evaluation was going to be implemented by TVSC to document the desired results it was looking for, and what percentage of scores and grades were expected to increase.
“Is it worth sacrificing prime teaching time at the kindergarten levels where kids absorb more learning than any other time of their life? At high school and middle school, you should be responsible for the amount of effort you are putting forth to get the best from each class,” Canada told the board. “If students at this level are not performing at the state standards or the standards that the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation deems, then perhaps we need to look internally?”
Though Boggs at the March meeting said child care will be provided for those who need it during the next school year, Canada said the change in times could potentially make it tougher for those already struggling financially because they may need to pay for child care.
She also said making appointments after school will become more difficult, businesses are having to adjust their schedules and after-school activities may suffer because of the new dismissal hours.
She contacted area schools to see what times their elementary schools started and ended, and even called the Indiana Department of Education. She found out schools are required to go 180 days.
According to the IDOE, she said, “By statute, Indiana schools at the elementary level are required to provide students with 300 minutes of instructional time each day. These minutes cannot include time for lunch or recess. Secondary schools are required to provide students with 360 minutes of instructional time.”
While she realizes Valley has the opportunity to have an additional 30 hours per school year of instruction, she asked, “What is that costing? There will certainly be cost to hire a person for before-school daycare at each of the elementary schools.” After making a suggestion regarding bus pick-up and drop-off to allow the high school and middle school more academic time, Canada concluded by saying, “I love my children and the 30 extra hours you’re taking away from me is heartbreaking. You already have them for seven hours a day, which is more than I get to see them when they get home and before they go to bed. Hopefully, my concerns are noted as valid ones and not just taken with a grain of salt.”
Board President Mark Wise told Canada that the board thought a lot about the things she said before they made their decision. Boggs told her he’d be willing to sit down with her and talk to her more about this.
“I have a lot of information that might help,” Boggs said. “I can assure you, Julie, it wasn’t a decision the board rapidly made.”
Wise thanked Canada for attending the meeting and letting them hear her concerns.
