Cartwright school district to return to 5-day week, despite community opposition

The Cartwright Elementary School District plans to return to a five-day school week.

The governing board approved that decision 3-2 this week, despite widespread opposition from the community.

Cartwright switched to a four-day week in 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A contentious board meeting on Wednesday prompted outbursts from the crowd and heated arguments between board members.

Superintendent Steve Watson pointed to a University of Oregon review which found little evidence that the four-day school week benefits academic performance.

“They found it decreases math and reading achievement and increases absences and chronic absences and decreases 5-year graduation rates across grades K-12," Watson said.

He also argued that students who rely on school for food would get an additional two meals per week by being there another day.

But community members like Cecilia Moreno said teachers choose to stay in the district because the four-day week is a perk that others don’t offer.

“According to your very own survey, 69% of your teachers would resign," Moreno said. "That would result in an entirely different team of teachers, teachers unfamiliar with the needs of Cartwright demographics, needs that Cartwright teachers and staff understand.”

The change is projected to cost the district an extra $5 million.

Governing board member Jennifer Romero voted against the change an posed a question to the board members who voted in favor of it.

"The students are protesting, teachers are tired and the community is watching. I'm listening to them," Romero said. "That leaves me with one question: Who are you listening to?"