School Days Shortened: A New Plan for Southern Boone County

Potential Change for 2026-27 School Year

The Southern Boone County R-I School District is exploring a significant shift to a four-day school week, with implementation potentially starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

School Schedule Details

• School Days: Tuesday to Friday
• School Hours: 7:50 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.
• Duration: Approximately 30-40 minutes longer than usual school days

Monthly Mondays

• Teacher Training: One Monday each month dedicated to teacher training
• Student Holiday: Remaining Mondays off for students
• Family Planning: Provides families with predictable days off for appointments and planning

Community Concerns

• Childcare: Parents express worries about managing childcare on days off
• Longer School Days: Concerns about student fatigue and overwhelm
• Extracurricular Activities: Potential impact on students involved in sports or clubs, with later finish times and homework completion

School Board's Perspective

• Teacher Retention: Aim to attract and retain quality educators
• Competition: Compete with larger schools for staff
• Decision: School board to vote on the proposal soon