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A Lumberton ISD classroom.
The Lumberton ISD school board failed to adopt a hybrid four-day school calendar for 2023-2024 during its Jan. 5 meeting.
The vote was deadlocked 3-3 as Trustee Dr. Chad Hammett abstained.
The proposed four-day hybrid school calendar would have students attending school the traditional five days in August, September, April and May, then switch to a four-day school week with students spending an extra 10 minutes in class each day.
The board discussed the hybrid calendar during its Dec. 8 meeting.
Board President James Kersh said the proposed hybrid school calendar, which was a one-year commitment by the district, was a result of multiple meetings and a collaborative effort by LISD teachers, administrators and staff.
“It addresses the challenges faced by LISD and all educators across the nation:” Kersh said. “Quality staff recruitment, teacher retention, energy savings, student transportation, substitute teachers pay rates, as well as student and staff attendance, normal burnout and physical health.”
Kersh said an anonymous district-wide survey, circulated Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, shows 77.8% of LISD voted in favor of the proposed hybrid calendar.
Kersh said it was recommended the board approve the 2023-24 hybrid calendar. A motion was made by Trustee Brett Yarbro and seconded by Trustee Kevin Edwards before the board discussion.
After more than 30 minutes of discussion and a vote by the board, Trustee Hammett presented a motion that the item be tabled.
School district attorney Curtis Soileau noted a motion has been made and seconded to table, and would take priority over a motion to approve previously made.
“If two-thirds of the board votes to table, the matter is tabled,” said Soileau. “Because it suspends all of the debate.”
Hammett made the motion to table and Trustee Kim Olexa seconded it. The motion didn’t receive the two-thirds majority of the board as Kersh, Edwards and Yarbo voted “No.”
The board then voted on the motion to approve the proposed hybrid 2023-24 school calendar, which failed.
Hammett, who was absent from the Dec. 3 meeting, asked if the survey by staff was mailed out. Superintendent Dr. Tony Tipton noted the survey was mailed out and that half of the staff members are teachers. Hammett said he’s reached out to staff members and has received “mixed reviews” about the proposed hybrid calendar.
“There are pros and cons,” Hammett said. “You’re going to make some people happy and make a few people upset.”
Trustee Lauren Rothe asked, out of the total number of surveys sent out, what percentage was returned.
According to Dr. Igor Gusyakov, assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, there are 565 employees in LISD and 369 employees voted on the survey.
“It’s 65.3% of all staff who voted,” Gusyakov added. “Of that 65.3% that voted, 77.8% voted for the four-day hybrid calendar.”
Rothe said, as a board member, it would have been nice to have a breakdown of teachers and campuses.
“Sixty-five percent could have been office staff that is not responsible for educating our children,” she said. “If the data is going to be presented, we can just have data that is very identified.”
Rothe said she previously asked if the survey could have been broken down by teachers and departments, as well as campuses.
“But that was not looked upon as a great idea,” she said. “I want that to be communicated to our community.”
Trustee Yarbro said LISD employees are “tired” and a four-day workweek may bring in more applicants. He added the district has issues with transportation and other departments.
“I’ve always looked out for the entire district,” Yarbro said.
Hammett said some LISD teachers are looking to go to work in other districts because of better pay and hours.
“Every school district is having problems getting qualified teachers,” he said.