From NBAPS
The four-day school week is about to get scrutinized by North Branch Area Public Schools.

Last winter, Superintendent Deb Henton informed the school board at a public meeting that if a levy failed, state funding remained flat or declined, and enrollment continued to decline, she would recommend moving forward with the study and implementation of a four-day school week. All of those events have come to pass.

Having cut over $11 million in less than a decade, with more cuts needed this year and into the foreseeable future, the four-day week is a cost-saving measure that could affect deficits not only this year, but in future years as well. By eliminating a day of school per week, the district would save that day’s worth of expenses.

There are challenges with a four-day week schedule; students will have longer school days, and activity schedules become difficult. But overall, in an extensive study of the four-day week conducted by Henton, no studies have been conducted to date showing a measurable affect on achievement. In fact, where implemented the four-day week has often reduced absenteeism for both students and staff. Other benefits include increased staff and student satisfaction and more time to work on lessons due to longer class periods.

The four-day week is gaining steam in Minnesota among districts with similar challenges as North Branch. Most recently, Warroad and Ogilvie became four-day week districts, joining
MACCRAY, which implemented the schedule in 2008.

The community it serves has asked NBAPS to think creatively to solve the budget issues caused by flat funding and declining enrollment. A four-day week is a way to reduce overall district expenditures long-term.

And, though those savings are generally modest ($50,000 - $100,000 annually), every dollar not spent is a dollar that can be used to educate.

Before it can move forward, NBAPS needs to hear from the community it serves. Toward that end, the district is facilitating three public meetings, held at different times to accommodate varying schedules, to explain the schedule and answer citizen questions. Meetings will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 (Sunrise River School cafeteria), 7 a.m. on Feb. 22 (Room 204, Main Street School), and 5 p.m. Feb. 23 (High school auditorium).

In the meantime, Supt. Henton will be meeting with all staff at NBAPS to discuss the proposed change. She is also facilitating a committee comprised of district and community representatives to study the feasibility of a four-day week schedule and advise the district. To conclude the process, at the Feb. 25 school board work session the district will make a recommendation to the board whether to move forward with a four-day school week.

Henton’s four-day school week presentation is available at the district Web site (www.northbranch.k12mn.us).

If you have any questions about the four-day week or meeting schedule, please call Community Relations Coordinator/grant writer Patrick Tepoorten at (651) 674-1018.

Beyond the four-day school week, NBAPS is also studying other creative ways to reduce district expenditures. One idea brought forth by community members is to re-align grades and close the Main Street School. The district is studying closely the potential annual savings, and it is believed the district could save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by taking that step.


Submitted by
Patrick M. Tepoorten
Community Relations Coordinator/Grant Writer

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