Lyon schools to maintain traditional schedule

SILVER SPRINGS - Despite adopting a motion last month to adopt a four-day school week next year, the Lyon County School Board voted against the implementation plan Tuesday night.

"I still think it could be a good idea but not if it's rolled out incorrectly," said board president John Stevens. "It's important we do it right."

After listening to a presentation going over proposed savings - which came to about $77,000 - and adjusted hours, the board split 3-3 for and against the plan. It would have required a majority vote to pass.

Trustee Theo McCormick, who joined Stevens and Jason Sanderson in voting against the proposal, said the expected benefits were not worth the anticipated savings.

"When it comes down to less than $100,000, why are we here?" he asked. "Are you kidding me?"

More than 150 people, a large contingent of whom were classified employees of the school district whose jobs could have been affected by the change, attended the meeting.

Charlotte Black, a nutrition services employee in Fernley, said their concerns were not being addressed.

"We would like to know why we are being ignored," she said. "We are a part of the district and we are being ignored."

However, Fernley High School teacher Tom Brooks said he has family members who work in the Pershing County School District, which has switched to four-day weeks. He said they tout the benefits of longer days with the students.

"There are moments when you're teaching, and everything is just clicking," he said. "You're into it. The kids are into it. Then the bell rings."

He urged the board to adopt the four-day week and work out the kinks as they went along.

"Sometimes, you've just got to jump in," he said.

Trustee Neil McIntyre was of the same mindset.

"The truth of the matter is we don't know what we're going to save," he said. "I can tell you we're going to increase teacher attendance, student attendance, and scores will go up. Isn't that what we're all about?"

McIntyre, Charles Shirley and James Huckaby voted in favor of the implementation. Trustee Maureen Williss was absent.

Stevens said the negative vote did not kill the issue altogether. He said a committee will be assembled to further investigate the idea.

"We are going to continue and take the time to do it right," he said.琠