Falcon Parents Vote On Four- Day Week

A four day week is on the table for some Falcon D-49 schools. Parents have until Wednesday August 24 to cast their vote.

The plan would only affect Falcon Zone schools; Falcon Elementary, Middle and High schools; and Woodmen Hills and Meridian Ranch Elementary schools. It would get rid of either Monday or Friday and keep kids in school an extra 50 minutes the other four days.

Parents voiced concerns at a community meeting Tuesday.

“One (concern) is for the working class folks who can’t take a day off work,” said D-49 parent Chris Phillips. “D-49 has a substantial amount of folks in the military.”

“Right now my student is having a hard time with homework,” said mother Cherylee Rounds. “She stresses, has migraines and this is just going to add a lot more time to her day.”

According to the district, 77% of Falcon Zone staff members supported a four-day week in a survey.

Falcon Zone Assistant Superintendent Mark Carara said the big benefit of dropping a day is the savings for utilities and transport.

“We had a lot of reductions in our zone and in our buildings the last two years and we’re looking for ways to save money rather than cut staff,” said Carara.

He couldn’t give a dollar amount to the savings. Some at the meeting argued they don’t have enough information to vote.

“The information we got was pretty sparse, in terms of, it would save money, but I’d like to see something a little more detailed,” said Eric Bauer, a Falcon Zone parent and teacher in another zone at D-49.

Carara said if a majority of parents say no to the four-day week, the idea is dead for now. He said if parents vote in favor, there will be another vote by staff and parents, and if they both vote in favor again, the idea will go to the school board and then to the state.

Falcon Zone parents should have gotten an email with a survey. If you didn’t get one, or have questions, you can email Carara at mcarara@d49.org.