Groveton adopts full-time 4-day schedule

GROVETON — Groveton ISD adopted a year-long 4-day schedule — with a twist — based on the results of surveys of all interested parties.

Superintendent Jim Dillard told the Board of Trustees on Feb. 27 that parents, students, staff members and community residents participated in a follow-up survey, and the overwhelming majority was to continue with the 4-day week.

This school year, the schools attended a traditional schedule for the first semester, and have been in a 4-day schedule this semester.

Dillard said the schedule is a bargaining chip to attract and keep teachers, and based on an internal staff survey, the teachers felt they can deliver quality education year-round.

The twist in the schedule is that the first six weeks will be 5-day, with the 4-day will start in September. Dillard said this was done to give parents time to secure day care for the Fridays that school is not in session, and that for the students, the first six weeks are most critical to get things off on the right foot.

“This was not taken lightly,” Dillard said. “I have mixed emotions, but I listen to the people, and the board. We try to make the best decisions.”

In other business, the board:

•canceled the May board election due to a lack of opposition. There are two open seats, which are at-large positions, and only two interested parties, incumbent Jason Due and newcomer Steven Lee, filed for election, and were seated. Incumbent Joey Rowe did not run for re-election; and

•approved all administrator contracts, including, Brittany Anderson, director of the Special Education Co-op; Dana Lowery, co-director of the Co-op, as well as the different school principals and the athletic director. Elementary school principal Amanda Stubblefield resigned, and the district will start a search.