9/17/09 Redmond
Friday will be the first of many this year without class in Redmond, Terrebonne and Tumalo. Budget issues have forced the Redmond School District to adopt a four day school week. Dean Roberts lives in Redmond and has three kids, ranging from the third grade to a sophomore in high school. His oldest son has special needs, and he feels uncomfortable letting him participate in choice Fridays, alternative programs for students on their day off.
"You can't just send them to the boys and girls club or something like that because they're not able to take care of them," says Roberts.
The School District says it will be able to accommodate students with special needs. Still, other parents are also frustrated there's no school Friday, many forced to change their work schedules.
"I've have to schedule around it, just beating the clock, you know taking a couple of hours off and working late, it made it harder," says parent Aaron Ray, with students in first and third grade.
Some are just leaving their kids at home, alone.
"Right now they're old enough to stay home by themselves, but then as a parent being at work, I am concerned about what my kids are doing at home when I'm not there," says Denise Ortiz-Campbell, a mother with students in tenth and first grade.
Redmond Area Parks and Rec and the Redmond City Council has worked with local Boys and Girls Clubs to organize some recreational activities. Still parents say that doesn't replace class work.
"Bend they're going five days a week, Prineville's going five days a week, so why is Redmond only going four days a week, and how come our kids got the hardest cuts of all?" asks Ortiz-Campbell.
While many parents are frustrated with the four day a week schedule, some say they understand why it had to happen. After all the district says this will save teacher jobs.
"I don't oppose it, it's new for all of us, we're just going to see how it works out," says Ray.
The district has added an hour more per school day to make up lost time. However, that doesn't solve everyone's problem.
"Everyone's trying to figure out how it's going to work, but I know people are struggling with it, and I'm not quite sure, I think everybody's trying to figure it out as they go along," says Roberts.
For a list of Choice Friday Options, visit:
