By Ben Felder Staff Writer bfelder@oklahoman.comNinety-seven public school districts across Oklahoma now operate just four days a week, which is twice as many as last year. Districts that have made the decision to drop one day a week are mostly rural school systems with a combined enrollment of 47,000, or just 7 percent of all Oklahoma public school students, according to an analysis of October enrollment numbers from the state Department of Education. Most schools that have moved to a four-day school week said it was an effort to cut costs on transportation, utilities and support staff. But many district leaders also have said it is used as a tool to recruit and retain teachers as schools struggle to compete with the higher salaries offered in neighboring states. Two-thirds of schools with a four-day week are within 50 miles of the state border and include school districts just a short drive from Arkansas and Texas, which have siphoned many teachers in recent years. The growth in four-day schedules have even put pressure on some Oklahoma districts to consider the change as a way to retain teachers. "We had two (Oklahoma) districts very close to us that moved to four-day weeks and we have lost some teachers to them," said David Pennington, superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools in northern Oklahoma. Ponca City school leaders are discussing the idea of moving to a four-day week, which Pennington said will depend on what type of education budget the state Legislature hands down next month. While he said a three-day weekend could help recruit teachers, Pennington also believes there are some cost savings associated with the switch, even if it's minimal. “My initial reaction is that I don't think it really saves us a whole lot of money, but that's not to say it doesn't save any money at all,” Pennington said.Read more on NewsOK.com
Comment on 97 schools use four-day schedule, up sharply from last year
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