EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — USD 309 Nickerson-South Hutchinson Board of Education (BOE) will retire discussions for a four-day school week until 2026. There was a lengthy discussion on the concept on Monday, March 18.
"If we are not all on board with it, I don't think it's something we should do," said board vice-president Jay Mitzner.
BOE member Luke Herren said some concerns he has with a four-day school week is food insecurity and one less day for a "safe place" for kids to go to.
"I think we got enough on our plate," Herren said. "I just don't think the return is worth the gamble."
President Brent Engelland expressed concerns for decreased enrollment.
"I know for positive that we could lose 10 from this school," Engelland said. "That's one teacher's salary."
Stephanie Tucker, another BOE member, said she was torn on her thoughts to move forward with a change in the school week.
"I was really prepared to vote for four day week but then I'm really torn because I hear through the rumor mill that 1o might leave."
Gordon Roth was in favor of moving forward with a shorter school week. Roth said he heard positive insight from an educator in the USD 205 Bluestem district who makes about a 40 minute drive to work every day.
"I'm in favor of waiting another year or two but I don't think it should die," Roth said.
The BOE, Superintendent Curtis Nightingale, Associate Superintendent Amy Jones and those in attendance of the meeting listened to a presentation about the pros and cons of a four-day school week. The presentation also included Survey data about the concept.
There were 78 responses for the survey question "Would you be open to working a four-day week?" Overall, 67.9% said yes, 12.8% said no and 19.2% said maybe.
There were 36 total elementary teacher responses from South Hutchinson Elementary and Nickerson Elementary. Of those teachers, 19 said yes and 8 said no. Reno Valley Middle School had 14 teachers respond. There were 9 yeses, 1 no and four maybes.
From Nickerson High School, 28 teachers responded to the survey. The high school response had 25 yeses, 1 no and 2 maybes.
Nightingale strongly encouraged the board to come up with a solution at the meeting which ultimately led to the motion to hold off until 2026.
USD 309's next BOE meeting is on April 15 at 7 p.m. at the district office.
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