Bad budget news seems to be the norm for the school districts across the country and has led their leaders to contemplate all sorts of strategies to save money. About 120 districts in 17 states have gone to four-day school weeks in the hope that they’ll realize a 20 percent savings in expenses. A new analysis by The Education Commission of the States 
says such savings are not in the cards for schools.
Using national and school district data, ECS concludes that shortening the school week by a day produces a maximum savings of around 5 percent and as little as .4 percent.
The principal reason for the slim savings is this: there is no major change in teacher salaries and benefits because instructional staff work the same amount of hours spread over four days, not five. Districts also say they don’t save much on the pay of nonclassroom employees. Similarly, savings on transportation costs seldom pan out because some school actvities require “off-day” bus service.
—“Don’t Bet on Savings from a Four-Day School Week, ECS Says,” by Sean Cavanaugh, Education Week online, June 1, 2011.
In June, Gov. Rick Perry signed into law S.B. 321, restricting employers from prohibiting employees with permits to carry concealed handguns from storing those weapons or ammunition in locked vehicles in employer parking lots.
This new law does not apply to school districts. Districts may get questions from employees who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun and should clarify whether, and to what extent, firearms are allowed in school district parking lots. Most districts allow school resource officers to carry guns and some allow all employees with concealed carry permits to store guns in locked vehicles. There is no exception in the law for Education Service Centers and community colleges.
TASB Legal Services has posted additional information in eSource on the TASB Web site.
This fall, researchers at the University of Houston will begin a three-year study of how chronic stress impacts middle school teachers. Houston ISD teachers at 20 middle schools will participate. They will use iPod software to track their moods, and some teachers will also have their heart rates and blood pressure monitored. Researchers will also observe classroom activities in order to produce the fullest picture of how teacher stress develops through the day.
A pilot study was conducted this year to test the technology being used. Perhaps not surprisingly, 30 percent of middle school teachers involved in the pilot experienced symptoms of serious stress. Researchers also found that teachers 55 and older were better equipped to handle daily stresses.
Researchers are hoping to identify everyday events that elicit stressful responses as well as techniques for dealing with increased stress. Results from the study are due next May.
—“Middle School Teachers Can Take Heart,” by Jennifer Radcliffe, Houston Chronicle, May 30, 2011.
