Hernando: Schools' half-days are an unnecessary burden

The Hernando County School District's use of so-called professional-development days has developed into a teacher perk that is a problem for working parents. At least two School Board members, Sandra Nicholson and John Sweeney, believe it is a schedule that needs to be revised and we agree.

As Times staff writer Tom Marshall reported recently, Hernando County has more early dismissal days (13) than any public school district in the Tampa Bay region. And those 13 half-days are in addition to four full days set aside for professional development.

Compare that with neighboring counties (see accompanying list) and it is apparent that Hernando school employees and students are enjoying much more time out of the classroom.

It appears the district allowed professional-development days to be used as a carrot in negotiating contracts with the teachers union.

In lieu of bigger pay raises or some other tangible benefit, the teachers have accepted increased professional-development days as a sort of compensation.

That never should have occurred. The district should pay teachers what they are worth and to teach, not create more time outside the classroom.

Sweeney and Nicholson point out that so many shortened school days are a burden on parents who either must take off from work to be with their children, or arrange for day care.

The board members also correctly acknowledge that many parents do neither, allowing their children to be dropped off at an empty house. That lack of supervision, especially for younger students, creates safety issues.

When the next contract is negotiated with teachers, the School Board should trim the number of professional days to bring the total in line with other counties in the region.

Or, if the board does not wish to tackle that issue, it should, at a minimum, insist that the half-days off be consolidated into full-days. That would help parents greatly by cutting in half the number of days they need to arrange for extra child care.

(Source: School districts. Data show early release and professional days during the regular school year only.)

Share your thoughts on this story

Read our guidelines for comments

Comments on this article

by Rob	05/02/07 10:32 AM
I absolutely agree with doing away of half days. I work in Tampa, and it is a real hassel to rty to be home early afternoon for our three children.

by Sherrie	04/28/07 03:12 PM
I am a professional at 40 hrs/wk. Any certifications are on my own time. I frequently stay past 8 hrs to finish a task, it's expected. However, I make more money than a teacher. Pay them what they are worth and you'll get more from them.

by Sherrie	04/28/07 03:00 PM
I support revising early release days to something better for the teachers and children. Our middle school has 7 20 minute periods those days - what could possibly get done? It's lost time that could be spent on teaching our kids.

by Tom	04/24/07 09:23 PM
You go John and Sandra! Rock the system and stop the waisted days. Our children need whole days in school like I had at HHS. Half days are a pure joke and a waste of parents money. Thanks again.

by Tom	04/24/07 09:19 PM
Thank you Sandra and John. It is about time this nonsence gets fixed!I really do thank you for bring light to this very bothersome problem.You two know it is a joke and that most of the teachers bolt as soon as then can. Now maybe it will be stopped.

by Gene	04/24/07 06:29 PM
Since when is taking care of our children a "burden"!!!

by Joe	04/24/07 12:18 PM
I'm still hearing inconvenient,costly,and disruptive. I would love to come to the work place of the complainers and tell you how to do your jobs. Education is the only profession where every one is an expert.

by tricia	04/24/07 09:54 AM
why are we griping about this-why should my taxes pay for my child to watch movies and not learn anything?why should I have to scramble to find daycare for my child?the teachers have summers off/vacations off-why aren't professional days held then?

by Jeannie	04/23/07 11:44 PM
Why are there so many people griping about this? The kids enjoy it, the teachers enjoy it-so leave it alone. There is no reason that parents can't find a way to deal with their kids getting home early once a month

by Jen	04/23/07 05:46 PM
I would gladly vote to give up the half days in exchange for pay to attend inservice on evenings and weekends like some of our neighboring counties. Diane, would you go to lousy training on your own time for no pay?

by Cheryl	04/23/07 12:38 PM
I have never met a teacher who has cared more about himself than the children he teaches. Gee, it really is an inconvenience to have children isn't it??? You have to find a sitter!! How horrible!!

by Diane	04/23/07 11:51 AM
George many professional take work home. Joe it's not just about child care, it is all around disruptive. Would you be able to let all of your employee/parents go home early once a month for early release?

by Michelle	04/23/07 11:01 AM
Oh, by the way!! For the great use of these half days, most of the teachers are beating the parents out of the parking lot-in order to leave school- not for the betterment of the children!! Training and grading . . . MY FOOT!!

by Michelle	04/23/07 10:53 AM
Finally, someone has taken notice! Not only does this create a serious burden on the parents of these children but it is also of great detriment to the children. The early release day at school is filled wasteful activities such as watching movies.

by MiMi	04/23/07 10:50 AM
Chris how dare you question my commitment to my students.Dare I protect my rights in the process of teaching children?The union protects teachers and their rights.The school board doesn't care.We are among the lowest paid teachers in the state.

by Carol	04/23/07 09:58 AM
I feel that it is a waste of time to have our children go to school for 4 hours for the day. I work 12 hour nights and sleep during the day so I don't have to worry about daycare but I feel so bad for the parents that work during the day.

by Chris	04/22/07 06:11 PM
This is a good example of why unions are not good in school systems. Teachers care more about themselves than the future of the children they teach.

by Diane	04/22/07 02:51 PM
In no job that I've ever held would it be tolerated to leave early once a month. I can't imagine what single parents have to go through to balance the crazy school schedule here. Many parents find it easier to stay unemployed and live on assistance.

by George again	04/22/07 01:52 PM
The district has limited "during school" professional development days taken, so these days are used to earn the 120 hours of continuing education that teachers are required to earn for recertification.

by George	04/22/07 01:46 PM
Those four so-called professional development days are NOT for PD at all. They are "Professional" days for teacher grading at the end of a quarter to get grades ready for report cards. Teachers already take papers home each day.

by MiMi	04/22/07 01:28 PM
Okay pay us time and a half or rather double to stay after for all this really important mandatory training.We have families too.The half days are the least the county with some of the lowest pay can do for teachers.

by Joe	04/22/07 12:46 PM
Parent involvement in education doesn't mean complaining about child care for the early release days. As I have often said in 26 years as a teacher, most parents view the public school as a child care service.

by Arthur	04/22/07 10:16 AM
Pay the teachers to work and adjust taxes to compensate. Daycare/baby sitters also cost parents money

by Susan	04/22/07 09:20 AM
Your complaint should be made at a board meeting and by using the media instead lessens your credibility as it appears your agenda is based on the "poor me" syndrome.

by Evelyn	04/22/07 07:56 AM
Teachers used to get good training on the half days. With new staff development personnel, training has dropped dramatically. Principals use the half day for meetings (NOT A PERK)instead of training. Might as well lose them.