To the Editor:

I recently learned that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is tracking the academic performance, ACT, scores of  4 day school week schools compared to 5 day week schools and have made a graph of the results for the years 2012-2019. The average ACT scores of students in the 4 day schools rapidly widened by a number of points to a persistent gap of performance below the those of the 5 day schools.

The ACT scores for Fayette R III school, while on the 5 day week, is superimposed on the first graph, and show that Fayette has fluxed from scores above the averages to several years of scores below even the the averages for the 4 day week schools. Note that after Superintendent Tamala Kimball retired, the ACT scores suddenly went up to an average above the state average for 5 day schools.  Hmm!! Atmosphere is critical to student performance.

The information on the first graph has been largely ignored in mainstream newspaper articles due to the heavy lobby by 4 day week advocates, as this fad spreads across rural Missouri. The second graph was given to the current administration and the School Board before the split vote in November, 2019, and still, the majority of the School Board, not stopped by superintendent, Jill Wiseman, voted the 4 day school week in.

Though the courts will have to decide after my petition is filed, it appears that the 4 day school week is in violation of the Missouri Constitution, Article IX, Section 1(a) and the derivative statute, RSMO 160.251.

These legal provisions basically state that “quality” education is essential to a healthy society. To deliberately take actions that will definitely suppress and lower the quality of education, as expressed in ACT scores, is tantamount to a crime against children and against the well being of society. The loss of that fifth day for quality education to be pursued in a structured setting cannot be replaced in an extended schedule in 4 days. According to the laws of physics—less cannot be more!

We have until August 1, 2020, to revert back to the 5 day school week that was so successful in 2019 when the ACT scores had “soared” in Fayette. The reversion would be simple and far less disruptive than to continue down the current path.

As I prepare a legal challenge to the districts decision, I want to invite concerned taxpayers in the Fayette R III school district to stand up and join me in this effort to preserve quality education. I will foot the legal cost bill. Please contact me if you want to participate in the suit or if you want to show moral support:

Paul Lehmann, 165 County Road 425, Fayette, MO 65248

Email: lehmannpault49@gmail.com

Telephone: (660) 248-1134

Sincerely,

Paul T. Lehmann