When the new school year begins in Bogalusa this August, the school will try out something radically different.
Last month the school board approved a four-day week for the district’s roughly 1,500 students and 300 employees. Classes will be Monday through Thursday instead of Monday through Friday.
School leaders say the COVID pandemic made the district rethink efforts to attract certified teachers while fighting academic challenges and absenteeism at the district’s three schools.
After a grant-funded study last fall, the school district held community meetings and sent out surveys to parents, teachers, and staff. Seventy percent favored a four-day week.
All four school days will be extended by 50 minutes. Fridays will be available for things like field trips, tutoring, and mental health programs. Extra days will be added to the beginning and end of the academic year. Summers will be shortened to eight weeks.
Because the state goes by instructional minutes and not days, students will still meet academic requirements. School leaders expect this change will save the district money, which can be invested back into the schools.
At least ten Louisiana school districts will use this four-day model next school year.
