Keokuk to stay with 5-day school week

KEOKUK, Iowa - The Keokuk Community School District board members discussed the research of a four-day school week and a majority of the members expressed that based on the research found during the study conducted they believed that currently it was best to stay with a five-day school week.
There were some members that explained that they could see a benefit for high school-age students in terms of being able to work more, or going on college visits, etc., however there was a consistent concern about elementary-age students. Also, the benefits didn’t outweigh some of the concerns that were brought forward through the research conducted.
The board members thanked Dr. Kathy Dinger, KCSD superintendent, for continuing to provide innovative ideas and to work to improve the district.
“Without change there can be no growth,” Kim Wyatt, KCSD Board member, said. “When we work together, great things can happen.”
In reference to staying with a shortened day on Wednesdays, Nancy Grisham, Hawthorne teacher, explained that the two hours that students leave early on Wednesdays is absolutely necessary because it is the only time that “teachers get to work collaboratively as a whole team.”
The board will continue to discuss ways to support the district staff to improve the school district. This includes continuing to expand an enhanced recruitment plan for teachers when positions are open.
The official calendar vote will occur in February or early March, but it will be on a five-day school week.
For more information on the research conducted by the KCSD staff, go to keokukschools.org/district/four-day-school-week/.