Union City Schools Calendar

Union Public Schools considering late start or early release Fridays for 2024-25 academic calendar

TULSA, Okla. — Union Public Schools might be bringing back a system tactic, late start Fridays, that was once active before the COVID-19 pandemic.

New proposals were presented two weeks ago.

For the 2024-2025 academic calendar, the two options are starting classes 40 minutes later or ending classes 40 minutes earlier every Friday.

Union Public Schools discontinued late start Fridays, but want to bring it back to give teachers necessary professional development time.

Union Chief Communications Officer Chris Payne said this is all from observations of both teachers and parents.

“Really is was just the matter of trying to weigh the needs of the teachers and their need for more time together. Of course, we always want to know what our parents are thinking,” Payne said. “Because at the end of the day, whatever we propose has to work for them.”  

Payne states that parents expressed the need for consistency.

“We had thrown an earlier option out that just was not consistent and it was not real helpful to parents,” said Payne. “So that’s why we went back to the drawing board, but that’s one thing we heard loud and clearly from parents.”

Payne said either of the options could really help Union Public Schools.

“I think it absolutely is and we know when we did this earlier it was very effective for us. Teachers just need some more time together when they’re not with students, but in the end, it will help students,” Payne said. “So it’s a good thing and I think our parents understand the need for it.”                                               

The board is expected to make a final decision between the two options on March 11.