The Houston R-1 School District Board of Education voted against a four-day school week calendar following a discussion Tuesday.
BOARD VOTES DOWN FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK
Brett Rawlings, calendar committee, presented the results of a four-day school week survey that was taken by 943 community members, staff and students. Between the three groups, approximately 65% of respondents were in favor of a four-day school week. For more information on the results, read this article. Patrons could vote in a survey that was publicized in several venues.
Marty Merckling, board member, commented that the survey was well-executed and received “the most responses he has seen in any survey that has been conducted in the area.” He believed the results showed an overwhelming majority of respondents in favor and felt it necessary that the board move forward with a four-day school week.
Charlie Malam, board member, stated that he typically considers 67% an overwhelming majority and prefers higher approval for major decisions. Malam cited the 61% approval of students as concerning.
“I question how this is in line with our overall mission,” said Malam. “Part of that concern is for student academic performance and achievement.”
Merckling and Tressie Neugebauer, board member, expressed the importance of listening to the community.
“It’s our job to listen,” said Neugebauer. “We were voted on here by the community for the teachers, staff and children.”
“How is it going to look when the majority of the community wants this and we turn around and slap them in the face and say we know better than you do?” Merckling asked.
Board members against the change felt that losing additional days in the classroom with students – despite the same number of hours – could be detrimental. Concerns over additional discretionary days, student sentiment, student well-being, workforce readiness and employee pay were also discussed.
After spending over an hour on the topic, Merckling made a motion to move forward with a four-day school week calendar. The motion was seconded by Neugebauer. It failed in a 3-4 vote with Dustin Hartman voting yes and Malam, Jeff Gettys, Jennifer Scheets and Darren Ice voting no.
After the motion failed, members agreed on considering a calendar similar to the current one – approximately 166 days – and a hybrid – approximately 155 days – calendar during the February meeting. The board will approve the 2025-2026 calendar during that meeting.
Success, Raymondville, Summersville and Cabool operate on a four-day week in Texas County.
DISTRICT MOVES FORWARD WITH $400,000 GRANT
The board unanimously approved a $400,000 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Limited Access Grant through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The grant requires a 25% ($133,333) match from the district but allows engineering and architectural fees to be covered within the grant. The project – likely to do with corridor spacing and planning at the Piney River Technical Center – has to be completed by June 1. Expenses after June 1 cannot be covered under the grant. Bartlett & West Engineering – which has offices in Rolla – will be used for professional services on the project.
OTHER MATTERS
- Davney Shelton was honored as the middle school student of the month for the character trait of generosity.
- An update to the Missouri School Boards’ Association policy was presented. Most updates are pertaining to state law changes. No action was taken.
- An informational meeting for sixth through 12th grade students interested in archery is Wednesday, Jan. 29.
- The board unanimously approved a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) goal in the focus area of effective teaching and learning.
- Terri Hudson, Houston Alternative Learning Opportunities (HALO) coordinator, gave an update on the program. It has nine students and operates from renovated quarters on First Street
- Samantha Courter – special education process coordinator – presented the special education services evaluation. The board approved.
- The district will not conduct an official election in April since incumbent board members Jeff Gettys and Jennifer Scheets are the only candidates for the two open positions.
- Members explained that snow routes and late starts are generally not advisable for the district due to logistic reasons.
The next regular board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 in the high school library.
