The Surrey School district held a meeting with parents Wednesday to share information regarding a potential change to a four-day school week.

According to information from the Department of Public Instruction, 13 schools in North Dakota currently operate on a four-day week waiver, including Dunseith, Belcourt, Mandaree, White Shield, Alexander and Horse Creek School in the Cartwright area. A four-day school week drops a day from the traditional calendar by increasing the minutes in the average school day to still reach the state’s required 1,050 hours in a school year.

Superintendent David Gerding said the tentative school day under the new plan would run from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A September 2023 study by the American Institutes of Research found students in four-day schools have 375 more minutes of class time with 25 fewer days of school compared to peers in traditional five-day structures.

The school year would start with teacher inservice on Aug. 8, with the first day of school on Aug. 12. The last day of school would tentatively land on May 22 and graduation on May 25.

It was noted that a four-day week could foster high morale among all parties and generate a positive school culture by providing more time for instruction and support for students. Other reasons cited included the retention and recruitment of certified and qualified teachers to the district, with salaries competitive to those offered by other school districts in the region.

The results of a survey within the district showed 92% of school staff were in favor of the change, while only 50% of 105 parents responded they were in support. A majority of the parents surveyed had children in elementary grades. About 69% of 152 students in Grades 7-12 surveyed were in favor, and 14% responded they had no preference. Of the teachers who were not in favor, one felt they’d still likely have to work on Fridays for extracurricular activities.

The district is looking into the impact on bus routes and the logistics for possibly allowing students to come in for learning help on Fridays. Sports and practices would largely be unaffected by the change, as coaches would still be able to determine practice times and dates.

The change would produce a slight cost savings, according to research cited in the presentation, and could lead to significant increases in teaching applicants and declines in bullying and fighting, if adopted. Accommodations and modifications would be made for students with Individualized Education Programs.

Gerding acknowledged that some questions remain that warrant further discussion and invited those with questions to contact him or either of the principals. The public was advised at the meeting that they would have to call 10 days in advance of the next board meeting to be on the agenda and must work through proper channels.

The proposal will be discussed further at the regular school board meeting on Feb. 14. If approved by the board, the initial application and waiver would be good for one year. If approved for a second year, applications for a five-year term can be pursued.

Further surveys will gather feedback quarterly, including one that is currently open until noon on Feb. 7.