(Corning) The Southwest Valley School District will not change to a four-day school week. The decision not to pursue the shortened week followed the committee survey results. According to the survey on February 14th, 61.9 percent of the staff favored the current calendar and 38.1 for the 4-day week, with 113 people submitting responses out of approximately 127 employees. This decision was made by both boards working together to provide the best opportunities for both students and staff. Additionally, Schools Superintendent Chris Fenster said it would not fit well logistically due to the district’s size.
Chris Fenster says the district has released ten teacher retention and recruitment incentives. The 2024-2025 school year employee benefit changes are listed below.
- Flex Professional Days, on January 3 and April 21, for Certified Staff.
- Insurance Benefit, increase from $800 to $900 monthly for eligible employees for Classified staff in the Corning.
- Maternity Leave to three weeks paid, without using sick balance for Classified and Certified staff.
- Personal Days-exchange in ten sick days for one personal day with a maximum of two for Classified, and Certified Staff.
- Personal Days-cash in up to three personal days per year, $75.00 for Classified, and $130.00 for Certified
- Contract incentive-a $100.00 bonus for returned contract within seven days of issuance for certified staff paid in September.
- Daycare-Benefit employee discount of 20-percent for both Certified and Classified staff.
- Casual Dress-continue with the casual code for both Certified and Classified staff.
- Staff Shirts-new shirts will be distributed to Certified, and Classified staff before the 2024-2025 school year.
- 2024-2025 Snow Days-Certified staff will only need to make up two of the snow days.
Chris Fenster noted the 2024-2025 certified calendar would have 185 contractual days compared to the current 190 days. “The incentive rollout is very aggressive and a big investment, but we need to do more than the surrounding districts to make our district a “Destination District!”
