IROQUOIS – Iroquois school officials are looking into the possibility of adopting a four-day week during the next school year, according to Mark Sampson, superintendent.

Sampson said it was brought up at the last board meeting and he was asked to schedule a public meeting on the subject prior to the next board meeting on May 11.

Right now, Sampson said he is buried in paper work, but he is tentatively looking at May 4 as the date for a public meeting.

Numerous end-of-the-year school activities will make it difficult to find a good date and time for the meeting.

Sanpson said he has been a part of school districts that have explored the four-day week in the past.

When he does schedule a public meeting, he said he would like to invite Dean Christensen, superintendent of the Deuel School District in Clear Lake to share what that school did before adopting a four-day plan.

He said the Custer School District in western South Dakota has a four-day week. When he was in Selby, Custer school officials came and shared their experiences at a public meeting.

In the Heartland Region, the Harrold School District implemented a four-day week several years ago. But, that school has since consolidated with the Highmore district.

The Wolsey-Wessington School District has decided to adopt a four-day week beginning next fall.

Sampson said he was asked to discuss the idea with faculty and staff as well as scheduling a public meeting.

“There are several reasons for a four-day week,” he said. “One if for professional development as our teachers don’t get to spend much time on that.”

He said there will be some cost savings. “Having recently approved an opt-out we need to make sure we spend our money wisely,” he said.

A third reason is for student achievement. “Kids that are struggling would be able to come in on Friday and get individual attention from the teachers,” he said.

Sampson said Iroquois is not the first school district to look at such a plan.

In other school districts with the shortened week, student achievement has remained the same or improved, he said.

Several years ago, a public meeting on the subject was sponsored by the Redfield School District. Custer School officials came and explained the pros and cons of the plan to those in attendance.



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