By John McCory
After having taught school in Indiana for forty-one (41) years and owning and managing a campground for 29 years (20 concurrently with teaching) I've witnessed several changes taking place, both within the school system and in the campground business. The one I'm addressing today is the rapid, and almost statewide continuance of expanding the school year. This is happening on both the beginning and ending of the school year, thus increasing costs to heat and/or air condition the school facilities as well as increase educational costs in various other ways.
At the same time, the revenues being generated by travel, recreation (including camping), and many other activities, where sales taxes are generated in these facilities, are used by the State to advertise widely. Our State Tourism Department does an excellent job with much less funding than other nearby states. Many travelers classify Indiana as a drive through or fly over state while we residents realize we have many fairs, festivals, races and many other local and/or statewide events and natural sites that are missed by these travelers. Another problem, then, is the increasing lack of quality time given our families with the summer family time being squeezed into a smaller time frame some place in the state, annually. Some recreation facilities are opening later in the spring and closing earlier in the fall because of lack of people available to hire for life guarding, grounds keepers, etc. Also, work campers start going south earlier.
Members of ICOA (Indiana Campground Owners Association) have made several suggestions relating to changes that could be made to save school corporations millions of dollars, much of which could then be used for upgrading facilities, better salaries to attract better teachers, more field experience possibilities, top quality school speakers at school assemblies and many other academic and physical needs and opportunities.
ICOA proposes the following change throughout the school systems of Indiana to cut the costs of operating the school, increase state revenue, greatly increase family values (more time to be together spring, summer and fall) and increase family knowledge of the environment and how to better enjoy the natural environment without waste and over usage.
ICOA proposes to amend the school year by commencing after Labor Day and closing prior to Memorial Day. There are 190 available days between Labor Day and Memorial Day, minus holidays and various other "vacation" days of +/- 11 days. That equals 179 school days. By shortening the school year to between Labor Day and Memorial Day and by adding 30 minutes to each of the 179 days would automatically increase instruction (student time on task) 90 hours during the shortened year. This would automatically build in snow, fog, and flood days we hear the public lament about almost every year. Rather than using "school days" as criteria for government funding we should consider numbers of student hours of class instruction. If we save 11 days we can now look at cost savings:
We have 2,841 schools in Indiana 16,000 bus drivers 15,000 school buses
15,000 school buses not used for 11 days (15,000 X 11 days =165,000 bus days. Each bus uses approximately 20 gallons of fuel per day. (165,000 X 20 gallons = 3,300,000 gallons at $2.75/gallon, a conservative savings of over $9 million/year.
2,841 schools reducing utility costs of approximately $200/day for 11 days = $6,250,000. Please note that teachers, bus drivers, auxiliary personnel would not be affected in this savings approach. (we do not want to see their wages reduced because of a shortened school year).
Miscellaneous operating savings are unknown.
State revenue would increase due to children/students being off during holiday weekends. All business should see an increase in revenue, i.e., camping, amusement parks, barbeque's, museums, zoos, swimming pools, all interpreted as more QUALITY time spent with ones children, as well as much more sales tax money being returned to the state. Some of the agriculture industry is dependent upon students helping with the harvest.
The savings of fuel is tremendous and the environment suffers less because of less pollution.
Buses $9,000,000
Schools $6,250,000
State Revenue $5,000,000
Misc. savings $2,000,000
__________
Turnaround $22,250,000
These estimates are based on information received from the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana School Bus Drivers' Association. the State Revenue and miscellaneous savings are a low estimate, based on business revenue increases.
Campgrounds and businesses across the State reported lower attendance on Labor Day weekend due to schools reconvening too soon and likewise by staying in school past Memorial Day.
Much controversy has arisen when an extended school year has caused gradation exercises to be scheduled later (because of late decisions to extend the school year because of snow, fog, or flood days, etc. Out of town guests with scheduled flights, time off work etc., have had to cancel going to relatives' graduation when the ceremonies were moved to a later date. City park and resort pools could be open longer thus increasing the revenue and extend lifeguard duty (and wages).
All of these plans are dependent on just 30 minutes a day. Write your legislative representative about your feelings, talk to school board members in your community, and write to the Indiana State Teachers' Association.
As a former teacher (41 years), a present (29 years) campground owner and former president of ICOA, I suggest each reader study these conservative figures and make contacts about your feelings, whichever way you believe. Choices and changes will be made over time. Exercise your freedom to speak out and to vote.
John McCory, Ft. Wayne, Indiana,jmacnut@yahoo.com
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The Labor Day to Memorial
The Labor Day to Memorial Day calendar is of the past. That was set up for the farming industry as children were needed to help plant and harvest. Since the majority of us no longer need our children for manual labor, there is no reason why they need to have a long summer break. Schools are heated and cooled year round anyway. Why not take advantage of the use.
I am in my first year on a year round calendar and LOVE it. The kids come back refreshed, the parents like the option of traveling at various times of the year, and I just bought myself at least 5 more years before I burn out. There is no reason why children cannot go to school 180 days spread throughout the year. As far as the tourism industry is concerned, we have kids tracking in and out all the time. That is a constant flow of families with the ability to travel at all times of the year, not just June through August. Wouldn't it be nice for the tourism industry to see a constant flow of revenue all year rather than a large chunk at one time hoping the weather cooperates. One cold and rainy summer and the guy that wrote this article will be crying the blues that no one is camping due to the weather. If we end up with a hurricane here, you better believe that the industry suffers before, during, and after the hurricane.