Southern Boone school board tables vote on proposed four-day school week
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Southern Boone Board of Education at its Monday meeting tabled the vote on the potential four-day school week that has been discussed for months.
Under the proposal, students would attend school from 7:50 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, extending each day by 30-40 minutes, beginning the 2026-27 school year.
The district would eliminate the current early-release Wednesdays, and one Monday each month would be set aside for staff professional development. Remaining Mondays would function as off-days, allowing families to schedule appointments without students missing class.
Unlike most school board votes, no recommendation was presented because the district said it wanted to remain neutral during the process and allow board members to weigh the information. The district on Monday cited insufficient data points in several areas as a reason for the decision and said it will now explore opportunities to look into additional strategies to help recruit and retain staff.
Conversations about a schedule change began in May. A survey was distributed to parents and staff in June, and a committee formed to study the issue held its first meeting in August. A community forum attended by over 50 people, most of whom were opposed to the schedule change, was held in November.
Before Monday’s decision, four people offered public comment. One speaker cited Senate Bill 727, which takes effect July 1. The measure, signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson in May 2024, increases the maximum amount of tax credits available for schools from $50 million to $75 million. However, one requirement for eligibility is that school districts operate on a five-day school week.
"That uncertainty for state funding for fiscal year 2026, including potential revisions to the funding formula and how funds are allocated to the district, is one priority that the board is very concerned with," Southern Boone Superintendent Amy Begeman said during the meeting.
School board members told ABC 17 News in November that the biggest reason for a switch would be to help recruit and retain quality teachers as the Southern Boone School District tries to compete with larger districts like Columbia Public Schools.
According to the district's finance report on Monday, Southern Boone spent $18 million on teacher salaries and benefits last fiscal year.
One speaker during Monday's meeting said the district was asking parents to support the change without providing data showing it would help retain staff. The final comment came from a junior high student, Garron Seyer, who told the board he was concerned that some community members struggling to make ends meet would have difficulty paying for child care on Mondays because of the cost.
"This is something that will affect my peers and if I feel strongly about it and I have the power to stand up and say something, I'm going to say something," Garron told ABC 17 News. "A lot of the students say 'A day off school? Yes, I'd love a day off school.' They don't see it as a chance to expand on themselves. They don't see it as a chance to go find employment to work. While they may say that that's not what I see, I hear 'I want a day off school.' And when we talk about employment, which is a matter that has come up especially in the junior and senior setting, when we have jobs, that is two out of 12 grade levels, it would benefit in that regard."
The district says that regardless of the decision, recruiting and retaining teachers remains a priority.
In November, the district cited several other options to help attract and retain teachers. One option the Southern Boone finance committee discussed was scheduled salaries for teachers. Two other ideas were raising taxes or increasing class sizes; however, officials noted that both ideas would be unpopular.
