L-K to discuss four-day school weeks
Linden Kildare is having public information meetings to discuss the possibility of moving to four-day school weeks.
This appears to be a popular trend, especially among rural communities as over 50 districts have moved to four-day weeks which include area districts like DeKalb and New Boston.
According to a recent column submitted to the Journal-Sun that we will print later. Dr. Brandon Enos, Cushing ISD, Superintendent notes that “in 2015, Texas Legislators passed a law that transitioned the public school year from 180 days to 75,600 minutes. The change from days to minutes paved the way for the shortened school weeks now seen in many districts across Texas.”
The proponents of the concept site that a shorter school week attracts more teachers; saves money, improves a healthier work/life balance, and adds time for additional training.
While opponents point to the fact that it may cost more to families, having to spend more on childcare and other resources.
They also say that it doesn’t always save money for the schools, and the additional length of the school day is harder on younger children.
Additionally, the lack of supervision for working families could cause problems. Dr. Enos also notes that student nutrition and achievement could be an additional challenge.
The schedules for the local schools around Cass County that are operating off of the four-day school week look like this according to KTBS: - DeKalb ISD: Starts 2022-2023. Fridays off. The earliest start is at 7:45 a.m., the latest bell is 4:15 p.m.
- New Boston Independent School District: Starting in the 2022-23 school year. Fridays off.
- Pewitt Consolidated Independent School District: Starting in the 2022-23 school year. Fridays off.
The meetings for the four-day school week will be held at the Linden-Kildare Highschool Auditorium on Wednesday, April 5, at 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m.
This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the pros and cons regarding possible future changes to the schedule.