PANAMA CITY — Elementary school kids might have to brace for a longer school day.
School board members discussed and learned about the extended day at a workshop Tuesday.
The extended day has improved academic performance at low-performing schools statewide.
“We know that additional time in instruction is good for kids,” said Denise Kelley, director of elementary instruction at Bay District Schools. “Not only does the time have to be there, quality instruction has to occur.”
Tuesday’s workshop was informational only. A timeline and procedure to accept or implement an additional hour has not been decided.
Locally, Springfield elementary school implemented the additional hour, designating it for reading instruction.
“Their school grade went up, their VAM (Value Added Model) scores are highly effective,” Kelley noted.
In order to add an extra hour the district must find millions of dollars and renegotiate the teacher union’s contract, officials said. It would cost about $5 million in teachers pay plus benefits to add an hour at all elementary schools, they added.
Bay students receive the least amount of instructional time when compared to surrounding counties Gulf, Leon, Washington, Okaloosa and Walton, according to data reports from the district. Bay also pays the third highest beginning salary for teachers.
In other business board members approved a $10,206,554 guaranteed maximum price contract from construction managers Reliant South Construction for a renovation project at Rutherford High school.
The project is primarily funded by the half-cent sales tax and $500,000 from the school district’s food service fund will pay for kitchen equipment.
The 21-month renovation project includes replacing the school’s central heating and cooling system, installing new ceilings and lighting in classrooms and hallways.
Anderson and Associates Construction was awarded a $4,056,177 contract for a half-cent sales tax project at Springfield Elementary.
The heating, ventilation and cooling system will be replaced and the cafeteria renovated. The project will be primarily funded by half-cent sales tax and $500,000 from the school district’s food service fund will pay for kitchen equipment.
Also at the meeting, Bay Education Foundation honored school district attorney Franklin Harrison on behalf of a donor at his request. The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, donated $50,000 to be used for Take Stock in Children scholarships.
