Neelyville looks at four-day school week

DAR/File photo

More than 63% of those who responded to a district survey say they favor a four-day school week for Neelyville R-IV.

The district is still gathering information and no decisions have been made, said Superintendent Heather Black.

Neelyville received the preliminary results this month from a survey sent to families gauging outlooks on switching to a four-day school week in the 2024-2025 school year. The anonymous survey was offered online and through paper forms, and residents were not required to have a child in the school to fill it out.

Of the 327 survey responses, 63.3% were in favor of the four-day week, 8% were undecided and 26.9% were opposed.

“We feel that it was still like good representation from our district ... it was offered through our online version, plus we also did paper and pencil ... so we could get responses from all of our families,” explained Superintendent Heather Black.

A four-day week is attractive to the district because it could add consistency to the school calendar, make Neelyville a more competitive employer and “increase positive school culture and climate,” according to information the district shared on social media.

“Consistency is a big key with a four-day school week. We wouldn’t have any early outs. It would not have a day and a half here or day and a half there off, we would have Mondays off because that’s when most of the holidays fall,” Black said.

The survey explained leaving Mondays free would “provide increased family time for families, staff, and community” and allow scheduled planning and professional development sessions.

The shorter week would also save the district in energy costs, transportation and substitute teacher reduction, school officials believe.

The length of the remaining school days would be extended and make-up days would be designated on the calendar.

“We are still in the gathering of information stage, so no decision was made (at the meeting),” Black said.

In other business, the board discussed the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year audit, which was conducted by Dwayne Clark of Hayti. The district’s total net position is approximately $2.9 million. Net disbursements for governmental activities including instruction, health services, transportation and professional development were almost $7,3 million, offset by nearly $2 million in operating grants and contributions. The school’s net position increased by $72,000 this fiscal year.