The Bigfork Public Schools Board of Trustees reviewed the results of a community-wide four-day school week survey at its Nov. 13 meeting.

The survey sought to determine what demographic groups, if any, were interested in a four-day school week and what concerns or expectations the community might have. School officials had previously only suggested moving to a four-day week, among other scheduling ideas such as four days in the spring or a block schedule in high school.

The digital survey was presented to 3,334 parent contacts and publicly disseminated to the community; A low response rate of 16% was achieved in 556 parents. Of the feedback received, 68.4% of the total parents stated that they were in favor of a four-day week. Sixty-six percent of staff responded to the survey and 79% supported a four-day program.

Approval scores for the four-day week increased with students’ age; 60.2% of primary school parents, 66.2% of secondary school parents and 70% of high school parents voted in favor.

69 students who completed the survey voted 97% in favor of a four-day week.

Charlie Appleby, the secondary school principal who conducted the survey, explained the data in more detail to the board.

The community’s biggest concerns were the length of school days and child care and meal services for the fifth day. Perceived positives included lower student stress, better retention, and academic benefits.

“Even though a lot of people don’t think a four-day week is a good idea, for example, a lot of those people think it would be less stressful for students,” Appleby explained. “More people think food is a concern than vote against a four-day school week.”

Comments generally asked for more information on what the four-day program would look like in practice.

Planning was briefly mentioned at the board meeting. A school day in Bigfork currently runs from roughly 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. for students and 7:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for teachers.

Late starts on Wednesday may need to be eliminated by switching to a four-day schedule; Teachers attending professional learning community meetings that morning may need to reschedule or forfeit this time. School will then run from 7:25 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for students and from 7:25 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. for teachers.

How to divide a day, extending the existing seven or adding an eighth; was brought up as well as considering block planning.

Superintendent Tom Stack added administrative concerns. While the leave periods of certified personnel are negotiated, the leave periods of classified personnel are specified in the law. Contracts with paraprofessionals, catering staff, transportation and custodial staff will all be affected by the loss of the fifth working day.

“This is a much deeper dive than we’ve ever done. I want people to understand that,” Stack said.

Montana required 180 school days per year before switching to an hourly mandate by grade level in 2005. This allowed C schools in the eastern half of the state to travel longer distances for sports and activities with only a four-day school week. It runs on a four-day schedule in Flathead County, Cayuse Prairie, Fair-Mont-Egan, Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley and West Glacier. However, no high school in the valley has adopted this practice.

Stack expressed concern about the University of Montana’s paper titled “The Four-Day School Week in Montana: A Comprehensive Study 2008-2023.” The study ultimately recommended that the state return to the 180 school day requirement.

“I’m not telling you that I buy it or disagree with it or am for or against it,” Stack told the board. “I secretly think a legislator will consider this, implement it and create a bill. Whether the bill passes or not, it may not pass because legislators are saying, ‘We want you to have local control,’ but I guarantee you, my gut tells me it’s probably going to happen, whether it goes too far or not. ”

Ultimately, the board decided to hold a study session during the four-day school week in January to determine whether it should be continued.

The next school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:00 pm at the Bigfork High School Library.