Tejal Somvanshi
In a world where educators often feel like they’re racing against the clock, Killeen Independent School District (KISD) is taking a hard look at teacher workload and time management. A recent “Teacher Time Evaluation” audit, conducted by Gibson Consulting and Research Group, has shed light on the daily grind of KISD educators.
The audit, presented by Gibson Senior Consultant Will Hardaway, aimed to quantify teachers’ daily activities and distinguish between teaching and non-teaching duties. The results? A wake-up call for the district.
A staggering 86% of KISD teachers perceive their workload as a serious problem. On average, these dedicated professionals clock in 52.1 hours per week, with 4.6 of those hours spilling into weekends. It’s a classic case of too much to do, too little time.
As reported by Killeen Heights Herald, one KISD teacher’s comment encapsulates the struggle: “The amount of time teachers spend outside of contract hours is far too many. I am a new teacher. I was working 75 hours per week in the first nine weeks and there is never enough time to do it all. I absolutely love my job and would not change it for the world. But, there needs to be some changes, somewhere.”
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The audit reveals that KISD teachers spend 38% of their contract time on instruction and 36% of non-contract time on lesson prep. While these educators are passionate about their work, the data shows they’re feeling the burn.
Interestingly, teachers who focused more on “teaching tasks” reported higher job satisfaction. However, unexpected duties like covering for colleagues or last-minute schedule changes were found to negatively impact job satisfaction.
The audit also uncovered a curious imbalance: teachers reported spending more time administering tests than analyzing the results to inform student goals. This raises questions about the effective use of assessment data in guiding instruction.
KISD Board Member Oliver Mintz acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We can’t create more time, but perhaps we can identify some areas where we could have an effect.”
The workload issue extends beyond the classroom. One teacher shared, “The amount of work I take home impacts my ability to be an active mom at the time I spend with my daughter and husband.”
Compensation also emerged as a “recurring theme” in the survey, with many teachers feeling their pay doesn’t match their workload.
While the audit paints a challenging picture, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. KISD has received an $18 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, partial owner of Amazon. After two years of deliberation, the board has approved a plan to use the interest earnings from this generous donation.
The plan allocates interest from $2 million for student scholarships, recognizing academic achievement and promoting community engagement. The remaining $16 million will fund student enrichment programs, focusing on academic support and mentorship for select elementary and secondary students.
A key initiative is the Young Engaged Scholars (Y.E.S.) program, emphasizing science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math (STREAM). The program aims to provide a well-rounded experience, with reading as the primary focus.
KISD Superintendent Jo Ann Fey stated that the plan will be reviewed annually, ensuring transparency and adaptability.
As KISD finds its way through these challenges, the district is also recognizing the contributions of various educational professionals. September marks IT Professionals Day and Attendance Awareness Month, while October will celebrate Texas Education Human Resources Day, National School Lunch Week, and Principals Month.
