Letters from our readers
Recently the GCDSD upper brass forced a 4-day school week for the future. They act like this is new but this option has been going on for a long time nationally. The TV coverage the superintendent boasted about, that he was in, said the DOI Foundation’s research does not support this schedule. It actually leads to negative academic effects. Embarrassing! With the 4-day format there will be a significant number of school days lost. So now when students or staff are absent it will have a greater negative impact. Over 275, close to 94% of school districts in our state, do not support the 4-day school week for valid reasons. Even the GCDSD’s own community survey showed 25% do not support this format, but the school board said they don’t care about family schedules! This comment is a mistake with an upcoming ballot measure request. I feel for adults who will have to find extra funds to pay for supervision of their children so they can go to work. Some will take their kids elsewhere. Our community should not tolerate losing more of our students to other districts due to the loss of a school day. School is the best place for kids to be where they are safe in their routines and progressing. The next thing the GCDSD will force on everyone is block scheduling for classes which is not the best for students for many reasons. Please mark my words and watch for this.
I don’t see our community allowing late starts or early releases for necessary staff professional development (mentioned as critical in the Performance Audit Report) with this shortened school schedule. So, our local district will now have to find extra time and money for staff to come in on training days. Our classified staff will not be made whole compensation wise with fewer bus runs, meals served, etc. For these employees, barely making ends meet, this will crush them financially and the GCDSD wonders why they can’t get core systems employees? Unreal! Many of these employees who make our local school district run were already laid off during COVID, which was a major mistake. There are many other significant negatives involved.
Please vote no on the February 11, 2025 GCDSD replacement levy. I hope even those who are able to vote for this ballot measure, but are not taxed, will also vote no. Do not support this ongoing pattern of dysfunctional decision making.
Very concerned community member,
John M. Adkins
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