Kennard ISD Invites Public to Debate Four Day School Week

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

KENNARD –  Kennard Independent School District (KISD) held a public forum Monday, Feb. 13 at the school cafeteria to give the public a chance to weigh in on a proposed four-day school week for the district. A chance for the public’s views to be heard is part of the process a district must go through in order to move forward or reject such a proposal. 

The cafeteria was packed with teachers, parents and other interested parties as KISD Superintendent Malinda Lindsey opened the forum promptly at 6 p.m. She briefly outlined the idea motivating the new schedule – which promises better attendance and motivation for students – but perhaps most importantly as a vital tool to recruit and retain teachers in an environment which is increasingly going to a four-day model. 

Lindsey explained the trends in area schools to start her brief overview.

“Currently, in the state of Texas 41 schools have a four-day week – 17 are in East Texas,” Lindsey told the group. “In the past few months, many schools have gone to a four-day a week and many are looking at proposing it for the 2023-2024 school year.”

The trends definitely seem to be going in one direction with Grapeland and Slocum recently approving the new schedule and Latexo and Apple Springs already implemented the program a couple of years ago. Crockett and Lovelady have not yet publicly made announcements but sources in both districts tell The Messenger they are investigating the new schedule to see if it would benefit their kids and parents. 

Lindsey gave several reasons – cited by districts that have already implemented the four-day week – for wanting to discuss its implementation in Kennard. 

“To recruit and retain high quality teachers and retain the best teachers that benefit our student learning. We want to foster a positive environment which will improve student learning,” Lindsey said. “We will have well-rested kids and offer a deeper dive into lessons and opportunities for extra-curricular activities. Our instructional and support staff will have more time to work and plan with our teachers.”

Lindsey gave a rough idea of how the new schedule might play out with start times from 7:30-7:50 a.m. and schools letting out around 3:30-4:15 with details to be worked out should the measure be approved. Lindsey addressed some of the issues the district is already considering such as an extra snack time for the youngest students, adjusting physical education times considering kids tend to learn better in the mornings and having parents pick up Thursdays pre-packaged breakfast and lunch to be eaten Fridays. 

The forum then opened to the public where two camps quickly emerged – with some for and some against the measure. It was not a question and answer forum, more of a platform for prepared statements – most running longer than Lindsey’s opening presentation. 

Some teachers worried about subjects such as math where longer classes but fewer days could lead to problems in testing. It was also pointed out teachers would need to adjust their lessons given the new schedules. To be fair, many teachers have laid out their teaching methods and schedules over many years and changing to a new system will certainly be a challenge with a learning curve all its own. Proponents of the four-day week argue the longer class time actually gives more time for each subject to either get ahead or help kids catch up depending on the situation. 

One of those on the committee studying the proposal cited one of the few long-term studies on the matter showing the four-day week had no adverse effect on grades and testing and was better suited to rural schools such as Kennard. 

The debate was passionate without being heated and both sides conceded points to the other with all trying to find the right way to move the district forward. Several teachers told the group they loved KISD because it is a smaller school where they know the parents, teachers and community so well. Some agreed however, if other schools in the area all go to a four-day week, recruitment of higher qualified or certified teachers could become more difficult over time. 

Lindsey did not seek to control or limit the comments, allowing teachers and parents their time and opinion. She was thanked for putting so much work into trying to find the best path forward for the students. As the meeting broke up, private conversations amongst small groups carried out into the hall. 

This is a big decision for any district and for Kennard ISD in particular with its own unique challenges and advantages. Time will tell how the KISD board will vote. 

The vital questions: Is the four-day week as advantageous to students as it is to recruiting and retaining good teachers? Will Kennard face a lack of good teachers over time if they are “poached” by nearby districts who may offer the same salary but a four-day work week? Will the reaction of parents and students in Kennard be as positive to the change as it has been in other districts?

The Messenger will update this story as events unfold. 

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]