Without the time to get maintenance and cleaning done, janitorial staff often has to work nights and weekends at overtime pay rates. Oxnard Elementary School District solved the problem by contracting out major maintenance projects and transportation services. The Student Housing Task Force from Rescue Union School District, formed to look at the options for the increasing district enrollment, found that to house an additional 90 students for a ten-year period, conversion to YRE was more expensive than leasing or purchasing portable classrooms. This figure included costs for added administrative and support staff hours, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous supplies. The biggest argument by YRE proponents is that year-round education improves education by allowing children to learn all year long.
Critics challenge the claims of improved academic performance.
Each side cites studies pointing to academic improvement, but the definitive answer is there is no conclusive proof on either side. It is important to look before we leap and not change for the sake of change. Until the focus is on the problems of methodology, curricula and standards, school calendar changes will not significantly impact our students. California budget surpluses should be spent to build new facilities not to finance experimental new programs. Under Prop 98, education receives over half the state budget, but these budget dollars cannot be spent on facilities construction.