Community meetings held to discuss 4-day school week

Hot Springs County School District #1 recently held two community meetings where Superintendent Dustin Hunt discussed the possibility of changing the district’s schedule to 4-day school week. Staff members attended, as well as members of the school board and local citizens.

Hunt presented a series of slides to explore the matter. As to reasons why to change to a 4-day school week, Hunt explained there is a substitute teacher shortage, it would be an incentive to recruit and retain teachers, it would provide family time for opportunities and or appointments. Hunt added that the 4-day school week would limit interruptions for administrative meetings.

Hunt also discussed myths and facts about the 4-day school week. He said it is not to save money; it is to keep people whole and it would allow classified opportunities. Hunt also directed the audience to see a calendar he provided of a draft version, which showed a schedule of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 146 instructional days plus professional development days.

Additionally, he emphasized they will not eliminate missed time for activities and that student achievement is not comparable, as they don’t know prior results. 

According to the State of Wyoming, the hourly requirements are the same in traditional or alternative calendars. For example, elementary required hours are 900, middle school required hours are 950 and high school is 1,000 hours.

Regarding things to think about, Hunt said that schedules are not final in each building and will need some adjustment as they transition. The calendar could go longer in June or earlier in August. They must decide as a district. Teacher contracts would change to match required days, with no reduction in salary. Hunt also discussed SPED testing and goal checks for Friday. Additionally, there are concerns about the load on daycare and childcare for the community.

Superintendent Hunt also provided a SWOT Analysis for a four-day school week. Its strengths are a reduced need for substitutes: fewer school days could lead to a decrease in the need for teacher substitutes, addressing challenges related to a limited substitute pool. Also, there could be improved teacher satisfaction: a longer weekend can lead to better work-life balance for teachers, potentially reducing burnout and increasing job satisfaction. Also, regarding recruitment and retention: a four-day week could enhance the district’s ability to recruit and retain quality teaching staff, appealing to educators seeking a better work-life balance. And, a four-day school week would be flexible for families: families may appreciate a four-day schedule, allowing for extended time together and opportunities for enrichment activities. 

Regarding weakness, there would be an adjustment period: students and staff may need time to adapt to longer school days, which could initially impact learning and productivity. Also, childcare challenges include working parents who may face difficulties arranging childcare for the extra day off. The schedule change also extended days Mondays through Thursday: while not much longer, these days are indeed longer.

Regarding opportunities, the four-day school week allows deep cleaning opportunities: additional time without students present allows for thorough cleaning of buildings, improving overall hygiene and maintenance. For administrative meetings, holding them on Fridays can help maintain principals in the building throughout the week, fostering better communication and support. For the scheduling of activities, longer trips and activities could be scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays, while shorter trips or home opportunities can occur Monday through Thursday to maximize instructional time. For employment opportunities, students needing to work would be available to accept work hours the entire day Friday if not involved in activities. Also, for child care employment opportunities, students who are not involved in activities may seek to provide childcare and earn wages providing babysitting services to families.

Hunt also provided threats or challenges to a four-day school week. Parents in need of childcare on Fridays. There are concerns from parents and community members about childcare logistics. For performance measurement, the district will evaluate student outcomes to ensure the change does not impact student achievement. Also, for instructional time assurance, instruction time will not be reduced below state requirements, as longer days Monday through Thursday will compensate for the loss of the half-day Friday. Additionally, snow days could be made up on a Friday.

Superintendent Hunt and School Board Chairman Justin Budd opened the meetings for questions and statements from staff and members of the community. Some of the discussion include subjects such as if research was done about how the four-day school week affects student outcome, sports activities on Fridays, working with the Recreation District for activities, the possibility of having another Lights On program, the impact on preschools, how the elementary school would adjust with Fridays not happening, concerns about Thursdays becoming a wasted day, do students welcome or not welcome the four-day school week, teacher salaries and the state formula for compensation and how the cost of living affects it, how $7,000 to homeschool families changes the funding for the district, the effect on low-income families in the community for paying for childcare and more.

Hunt provided his contact information for questions or concerns, dhunt@hotsprings1.org, 864-6514, http://www.hotsprings1.org.