Members of the Wichita teachers union will vote Monday on a contract change that would lengthen the school day and shorten the year. KMUW's Abigail Wilson reports the change would save Wichita Public Schools $3 million and is part of a more than $22 million reduction in spending districtwide.
If the plan is approved, 30 minutes will be added to the end of the school day for Wichita students starting this fall, and the school year will be 15 days shorter. Officials say classes likely would begin a week later than usual, as well.
The district has assured employees that teacher pay will not be affected by the proposed change.
Steve Wentz, president of the local teachers union, says teachers are frustrated by the changes.
"I think it reflects the fact that they may think it's the least of a lot of really bad situations and choices we have," he says.
Wentz says he expects the votes will be tallied by Wednesday afternoon. If union members vote down the change, the district says it will look to outsource custodial services and eliminate some elementary and middle school librarians and data leaders to save money.
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