HUMBOLDT — School board members in USD 258 are expected to decide on Monday whether to change to a four-day school week.
The district released survey results that show a majority of parents, students and staff prefer a four-day model. The board will vote on the matter at a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday.
A committee has spent several months studying the pros and cons of a shorter week. Several districts in Kansas and Missouri have made a similar switch.
If the district makes the switch, it would add just 10 minutes to the daily schedule. Students would have four fewer school days overall. Exactly how that will affect the calendar has not yet been announced, but administrators said they need to vote whether to make the change before they can approve a calendar.
A survey found two-thirds (67.2%) of staff wanted a four-day week, with just 9.4% against. The rest had no preference.
Among students, 77.7% preferred a shorter week with just 12.1% against.
Support was lowest among parents, but overall more than half (51.9%) supported the shorter week, with nearly a third (31.1%) against it.
A forum in February drew a mixed reaction from attendees, with advocates citing lower costs to the district and, potentially, making USD 258 more attractive for potential teachers.
Opponents cited finding childcare one day a week and the loss of one day of instruction a week impeding students’ learning ability.
