Bigfork school board reviews four-day week feedback

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

The survey sought to determine which demographics, if any, held an interest in a four-day school week and what concerns or expectations the community may have. School officials had previously proposed the switch to a four-day week, along with other scheduling ideas such as four-day only in the spring or a block schedule at the high school.   

The digital survey was released to 3,334 parent contacts and advertised openly to the community, with a low 16% response rate at 556 parents. Of the feedback received, 68.4% of total parents were in favor of a four-day week. Sixty-six percent of staff responded to the survey, with 79% backing a four-day schedule.  

Approval ratings for a four-day week grew with the students’ age; elementary parents voted 60.2% in favor, middle school parents 66.2% and high school parents 70%.  

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

Middle school principal Charlie Appleby, who orchestrated the survey, broke the data down further for the board. 

Major concerns among the community were length of school days, and child care and food services for the fifth day. Perceived positives included lower student stress, improved retention and academic benefits. 

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

Overall, comments asked for more information on what a four-day schedule would look like in practice.  

Scheduling was briefly touched on during the board meeting. A school day at Bigfork currently runs roughly from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. for students, 7:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for teachers. 

By shifting to a four-day schedule, late starts on Wednesdays may need to be eliminated, teachers who participate in professional learning community meetings that morning would have to reschedule or forfeit that time. School would then run from about 7:25 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for students and 7:25 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. for teachers.  

How to break up a day, whether lengthening the current seven periods or adding an eighth; as well as the consideration of block scheduling were also brought up.  

Superintendent Tom Stack added administrative concerns. Leave time for certified staff is negotiated, while classified staff’s is outlined in statute. Contracts with paraprofessionals, food staff, transportation and custodial staff would all be affected by losing a fifth working day.  

“That’s a way deeper dive than what we’ve done up until this point, I just want people to understand that,” Stack said.  

Montana used to require 180 school days a year before switching to an hourly requirement 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. In Flathead County, Cayuse Prairie, Fair-Mont-Egan, Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley and West Glacier all run on a four-day schedule. No high schools in the valley have adopted the practice, though.  

Stack expressed concerns regarding a University of Montana paper, “The Four-day School Week in Montana: A Comprehensive Study 2008-2023.” The study ultimately recommended the state return to the 180-school day requirement.  

“I’m not telling you I buy it or disagree with it or I’m for or against it,” Stack told the board. “I do in my heart of hearts think that a legislator will grab that, run with it, and form a bill. Whether that bill passes or not, it might not, because of legislators saying, ‘We want you to have local control,’ but I guarantee you, my gut tells me, whether it gets very far or not, that’s probably going to happen.”

Ultimately, the board decided to hold a work session on the four-day school week in January to determine if it warrants continued attention.  

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. in the Bigfork High School Library.