Moran Elementary Proposes Curriculum Day Changes Full-Day Format Pleases Parents, Teachers, Some Staff

When Spokane District 81 students get out early for professional planning days, parents like Sarah Beyersdorf are left looking for solutions.

Teachers use eight half-days each school year to meet with each other and discuss curriculum.

But for Beyersdorf, who recently returned to a nursing career after several years as a stay-at-home mom, it’s hard finding child care for just half a day. It’s even harder to think of letting her two children walk home alone along a country road.

“This is a huge complaint in the parent community,” said Beyersdorf. “Let’s face it - it’s a hassle.”

She and other Moran Prairie Elementary parents say they’ve found a better way.

The school’s site council is proposing Moran Prairie do away with the current system and, instead, schedule three full professional planning days throughout the year.

The council’s suggestion was prompted by its year-long study of planning days. The conclusion: half-days don’t do much good for families or teachers.

While parents are wondering what to do with their children, teachers must try to be productive after a draining morning.

“Teachers are tired at the end of a day,” said Moran Principal Marilyn Highberg. “When the planning day starts after teaching all morning, it’s probably less helpful.”

With a new schedule at Moran Prairie, teachers would have 177 school days each year along with three full days of professional planning. The plan would actually lead to an extra hour of instructional time each year.

A similar proposal, with four days off for planning days, was considered during district contract negotiations with the teachers union. But union representative Lynn Jones said the district likely will stick with eight half-days next year.

“We think it’s a great idea,” he said. “It is exactly what people need. But it probably won’t happen next year.”

Moran Prairie parents say they’re determined to make it happen at their school as early as the middle of the coming school year.

“Parents and staff are very enthusiastic,” said Highberg. “It’s a great idea.”

Beyersdorf said a vote at a staff meeting showed 100 percent approval. Ballots were sent home to parents in late April. Of those returned so far, about 95 percent have given thumbs up to the plan, she said.

But there are still sticking points to be worked out. The school would have to apply for variances from both the district and the state. Current laws require school to be in session 180 days a year.

The committee is also looking into how the change would affect busing schedules and classified staff, as well as the school’s Tessera and Express programs.

“There would be 11 days of the year when we would be different than the rest of the world,” said Beyersdorf. “We need to see how we’ll affect these things in order not to negatively impact anybody.”

Brigitte Durkin, a Moran Prairie instructional assistant and noon aide, says that’s what she and other classified staff worry about.

“We were mainly concerned we’re losing hours,” she said. “Are we getting paid for those hours? We don’t know.”

Durkin said classified staff voiced their worries in a survey last school year.

“The classified staff is still concerned about their hours, but they are beginning to understand this is best for the children,” Beyersdorf said.

The site council plans to begin drafting the variance in August, she said.