School board approves 4-day school week

At the April Hot Springs County School District meeting, board members discussed at length the alternative calendar for a 4-day school week for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027 school years. Superintendent Hunt provided the results of a survey across the district with 88 responses from teachers. He said that 4.5% said no to the change, 25% were neutral, and 69.3% said absolutely yes. 

The board discussed concerns about the number of hours of instruction, childcare, student feedback, additional income for students who might work on Fridays, interventions, collaborations, the new superintendent handling a new schedule, substitute teacher shortage, academic impact and benefits, staff retention, sports activities. 

The board voted and passed unanimously to adopt the 4-day school week schedule.