Exira-EHK School District considers four-day school week

 ELK HORN — The Exira-EHK School District is considering the possibility of a four-day school week.  The district had an informational meeting Tuesday, January 7 for parents, guardians, and community members.  Superintendent Trevor Miller said there were approximately 55 in attendance. “We had a good turnout, a lot of people wanted to hear the information.”
 The district is exploring this option to attract new teachers to apply for open positions, as well as an incentive to retain quality staff members.
 “We’re just trying to get creative, because we’re short staffed and we’re trying to throw different things out there to see what works. We have five open positions now, and have only one applicant,” said Miller.
 The school district is asking community members and parents to voice their opinions via surveys, and initial results were on the agenda for the Monday, January 13 Board of Education meeting.
 Miller said as of Thursday, there were 115 responses from parents and community members. “There’s some good, valid concerns, including daycare, longer days for the little students, snow days,” he said.
 The survey results will assist the district in knowing what concerns need addressed. Currently, the students are in class from 8:10 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. If the four-day school week plan is implemented, Miller said the day would begin around 8 a.m. and students will be dismissed at approximately 3:40 p.m.
 “It’s basically adding 25-30 minutes each day, which comes down to about 5 extra minutes per period for middle and high school students,” he said. “It’s not a huge addition, but it would still be some adjustment at the elementary level. We would make sure the younger students would get additional breaks because they would be here longer.”
 He noted the pay for non-salaried staff members would be adjusted. “A pay cut wouldn’t be fair to them because they are hourly, so we would make sure they would be taken care of.”
 There are currently 18 schools in Iowa who are utilizing a four-day school week, and Miller said at least 10 schools are considering shortening the week.
 In addition to solving staffing issues, the district believes it will help with student and staff morale. “It would give the students a break, and allow more flexibility. Since COVID, a lot of businesses have gone to a four-day schedule. Right now, it’s just an option we are looking at,” said Miller.
 The Board of Education has the final decision, and after the initial survey results were presented Monday, Miller said the district will decide whether or not to go forward with the plan. If the Board decides to pursue this option, he hopes to have a final decision made at the March meeting, and it will be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year. “We know how to get it done, because other schools have done it,” he said.
 He encourages parents and community members to visit the school website at www.exira-ehk.k12.ia.us for updated information.