The possibility of year-round school is an issue students in the College of Education may face as they enter the teaching market after graduation.

“Educationally, it’s more sound for students not to have such an extended break in the summer,” said Walter Gmelch, dean of the College of Education.

Some schools in California have already implemented a year-round school system, Gmelch said.

An important aspect of year-round schooling, however, would be the effect on teacher’s salaries. Should Iowa adopt a year-round school system in the high schools and middle schools, Gmelch said he believes teachers’ salaries may remain the same.

“I’m not sure how it works; maybe it would stay the same,” he said. “Teachers may work the same number of contract days but choose those days.”

Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines is one of the few schools in Iowa that have implemented year-round schooling. The school has had year-round school since 1995, and teachers there do not receive a pay increase since the number of contract days is the same, said Principal Deb Gettys.

“There are [still] 195 contract days, so there is no increase in salary,” Gettys said. “The numbers of days are not different; breaks are just spread out more.”

The only pay increase teachers would receive is if they taught bonus days, Gettys said. Bonus days are scheduled for a week during the students’ regularly planned breaks during the fall and spring. These bonus days offer students the chance to go on field trips or participate in community-based activities and to see a connection between the outside world and what is learned in the classroom, Gettys said.

Education students at Iowa State had mixed feelings about the possibility of year-round schooling.

“I can see how it can be a benefit — it is continual learning for students,” said Taya Timmerman, senior in elementary education. “You wouldn’t have to re-teach and could go more in-depth, but it also doesn’t give [students] a chance for a break during the summer.”

Natalie May, senior in elementary education, said she feels year-round schooling may present some problems.

“The major problem I see — but could be worked around — is kids going to school for a month, then getting a week off,” May said. “That’s too many breaks for students to be able to go in-depth with their studies. Kids have trouble adjusting.”

Gettys, however, said she believes year-round school is beneficial for students.

“Research supports that six weeks is the longest [break] students should have,” she said.

In addition to students’ learning abilities, another factor Iowa schools may address if they choose to implement year-round schooling in the future is that of additional costs, said Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, spokeswoman for Iowa State Education Association.

For example, schools would have to consider the additional cost of heating, air conditioning, and electricity. While the idea of year-round school is not currently a very controversial issue in the College of Education, Gmelch said raising questions about the topic is beneficial.

“When we ask questions like this, it brings about healthy dialogue,” he said.