Survey results released; four-day week favored

Results are in. Haxtun residents and parents of students in the Haxtun School District recently received a survey regarding information about potentially moving to a four-day school week in their mailboxes. Of the nearly 800 surveys mailed, 118 were returned.

Representatives from the District’s accountability and calendar committees, along with administration and school board representation, developed and distributed the survey in response to recent discussions at a February board meeting. At that meeting, it was noted during calendar discussions that a four-day school week may aid in teacher retention and recruitment as well as in student and staff mental health.

Many school districts in Colorado, more than 111 of the 178, have moved to a four-day school week and in doing so, keep the same instruction time by lengthening the school day and reducing the amount of days in attendance, by about 15 days total in a school year.

Opposition to a four-day week includes concern for hourly employees within the District as well as childcare and student/staff productivity and work ethic.

Most recently, the Holyoke School District voted to move to a four-day school week for the coming year, opting to take Fridays off.

Of the 118 surveys returned, 80 votes were in favor of a four-day school week, 33 were in opposition and five were undecided. Of the yes votes, 62 had children within the school district and 18 did not. Of the 33 no votes, 20 were from those with children in the local school district, and 13 were not.

The survey also asked if there is a preference to having Monday or Fridays off; survey results totaled 43 votes for Monday and 17 votes for Friday.

The survey committee also sent a separate survey to staff members. Of those sent, 28 were returned with 25 in favor of a four-day week and three opposed.

Results of the survey were presented to members of the Haxtun Board of Education during a Tuesday evening, March 23 meeting, held after this week’s press deadline. Continue to watch future editions of the Herald for the out come of next year’s school calendar.