Ysleta Independent School District Trustee Chris Hernandez is advocating for a change to the school calendar by proposing that the Monday following the Super Bowl be designated as a teacher work day. This initiative aims to address chronic attendance issues that impact both classrooms and district funding.
Hernandez argues that the day after the Super Bowl consistently sees low attendance, which affects classroom operations and diminishes revenue associated with daily student attendance. According to district data, attendance dropped from 94.19% to 91.77% the day after last year’s Super Bowl. Additionally, more than 220 teachers called in sick that same day, resulting in over $23,000 in substitute teacher costs.
The Ysleta ISD board will discuss this proposal during its meeting on December 10. Hernandez points out that the combination of declining average daily attendance and increased teacher absences costs the district “tens of thousands of dollars” whenever it occurs. The trustee emphasizes that this financial strain arises from both lost funding linked to student attendance and the additional expenses incurred for substitute teachers.
Instead of extending the academic calendar, Hernandez suggests moving one of the district’s scheduled professional development days to coincide with the Super Bowl Monday and other low-attendance days, such as those following Halloween and Easter. This approach would preserve instructional time while alleviating the district’s financial burden. He stated in an interview with the El Paso Herald Post that shifting an existing day would not interfere with instruction and that teachers should have input on any calendar changes.
Hernandez has sought community feedback on this proposal, noting that he has already received support from some parents and staff. The school board’s decision will be closely watched, as the district grapples with budget constraints after adopting a $420.2 million budget in June, which includes a deficit of approximately $22.2 million. District leaders are considering various strategies to manage this financial gap, as reported by KVIA.
Public response to Hernandez’s calendar modification has been mixed. Some community members believe the change “actually makes sense,” while others argue that teacher absences often correlate with student absenteeism, suggesting that any solution must consider the broader context of attendance patterns.
As the December meeting approaches, the outcome of this proposal may have significant implications for the district’s financial health and operational efficiency. Hernandez’s push for a revised calendar reflects not only a response to immediate attendance challenges but also a strategic move to safeguard the district’s resources.
