By Catherine Richard
Currently, the Devine School Board is deliberating on whether to switch to a four-day work week. The board requested more time to gather data, specifically on how the new schedule would affect preschool through kinder, but a decision will have to be made by Dec. 5.
Devine ISD conducted a survey about the four-day schedule. A total of 956 responses were turned in. Of those, 58.3% supported the change and 41.7 opposed it.
Todd Grandjean, the superintendent of Devine ISD, explained what a four-day work week would look like if it was implemented in Devine’s schools.
What changes will be made to the schedule?
The class days would likely begin at the same time, though they could “potentially start five minutes earlier,” according to Grandjean. With the school bus scheduling and the time of sunrise, starting earlier does not appear to be a good option.
School days would last 30-40 minutes longer. This is where a lot of the lost time would be made up.
School would likely begin about two weeks earlier in the fall on Aug. 10.
The school year would end on the same day, May 31.
“That isn’t set in stone,” said Grandjean. The official calendar for the 2025-2026 school year will not be created until the district makes a decision either way.
Currently, it is still up for discussion which day would be taken off, Monday or Friday. The polling that has been done among parents shows a positive lean in the direction of Friday.
How would students be affected?
There is no clear-cut data from La Vernia or Bandera on whether the four-day week results in an improvement or a regression in student performance on state assessments and attendance levels. “Student success is our ultimate goal,” said Grandjean.
Teachers
In surveys, teachers consistently list the two things that they need to accomplish their jobs: time and money. One argument for the four-day schedule is that it could give teachers extra time. Devine ISD has worked on “allocating resources for pay,” said Grandjean. “Now, more planning time.”
Multiple teachers end up staying late and then going to the office on the weekend to get work done and prepare for the next week. “It’s not just a day to go the beach,” said Grandjean.
The considered change is partly due to an issue that is moving throughout Texas, with teachers quitting at increasing rates. “This is designed to be able to recruit and retain the most talented teachers we can find,” Grandjean said.
How would the four day week effect extracurricular activities?
Sports and other extracurricular activities would be a continued priority, since they are “key components to our success,” said Grandjean.
Pep rallies would probably be moved to Thursdays.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) schedules many events for Fridays. With Friday off, students would potentially have less of a struggle with games and practices interfering with normal classes.
Are there any childcare programs for the off day?
There are currently no plans for any childcare programs at Devine ISD, Grandjean said. Most of the schools that have offered such programs have done so with a third party organization.
