Exploring a 4-Day School Week Schedule: Join the Discussion
In the Districts discussion of options around budget reductions for 2025-2026 and beyond, the theme of a four-day school week emerged as a leading topic. The District began the conversation by gathering initial impressions from the MCC Employment Groups concerning a four-day school week. The results of those surveys are listed here by employment group. Teacher Survey Paraprofessional Survey Cooks/Custodians Survey Office Staff/Other At-Will Survey
With the survey feedback received from employees along with open ended responses, a baseline sentiment was established for the idea, but it also has helped the district leadership team begin the process of identifying challenges and opportunities associated with a 4-day week schedule.
The Why
For the past several years, schools across the nation have been experimenting with hybrid and four-day week calendars for a number of reasons, one of which is better efficiency of district funds (cost savings), another being teacher recruitment and retention. Schools that have moved to a hybrid calendar/four-day week schedule have experienced significant cost savings, an increase in teacher applicants, an increase in teacher retention, and experienced a decrease in absenteeism. Mental health continues to be a challenge for both students and staff in a post-covid world, and some districts have reported an improvement in mental health among students as evidenced by fewer absences, less bullying and fewer disciplinary issues. For all of these reasons, district leaders at Murray County Central felt the topic of a 4-day school week calendar was worth further investigation.
The School Board has not made any final decisions but is gathering information and feedback to make an informed educated decision.
The How
Since the initial employee interest survey, district leaders have continued researching the topic. Local school districts in Minnesota and South Dakota have been contacted for information about their calendars and the challenges and opportunities associated with reimagining the school calendar. While we are gathering ideas from other schools that are on a four-day week model, we are committed to finding the right fit for MCC. The School Board will assess the potential impact on students, staff and the overall learning environment to determine the best possible structure for our district based on feedback from all stakeholders in the District.
The process to move to a 4-day school week in Minnesota (as determined by law):
Conduct a survey that is open to the entire district and all of its stakeholders
Demonstrate employee union support
Demonstrate community support
Submit a School Board approved application to the MN Department of Education
Receive approval from the MN Department of Education
Tentative Timeline
No decisions regarding the calendar have been made at this time, and the School Board will continue to receive information from research, hear from experts on the topic, and gather the needed input from all stakeholders of Murray County Central. The tentative timeline for research and a final decision as to an application filing to MDE are as follows:
4-Day School Week consultant presentation to the School Board - January 13th
4-Day School Week consultant presentation to MCC Staff/Employees - January 22nd
Community Meeting presentation Q&A regarding 4-Day School Week - January 22nd
Community Stakeholder Survey window to receive feedback - January 22nd - February 5th
Report to School Board on community support - February 10th
School Board decision on approval of 4-day week application to MDE - February 10th
MDE 45 day window on application approval/denial - February 10th - April 11th
Final decision from School Board on the 2025-26 Instructional Calendar - April 14th
If a 4-day school week calendar is NOT approved or adopted, a traditional instructional calendar will be approved at the April 14 School Board Meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elementary & Secondary Instruction
Special Education
Support Services
Student Activities & Engagement
HR & Finance
Miscellaneous