RIVERSIDE

Students in the Highland Community Schools district will move into a four-day school week, beginning next August.

The School Board approved the change at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, following months of discussions with staff and three public meetings with parents and district residents.

“I think being on the leading edge of this is going to be key for us,” Schools Superintendent Ken Crawford said.

The move was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Board Vice President Monica Jepson objecting to the change following numerous conversations with district parents, she said.

A four-day week, Jepson said, will put “a lot of families in uncomfortable situations.”

“A lot of them, this is not what’s best for them,” Jepson said.

“I’m trying to be the voice of those that don’t have a voice,” she said.

Board member Rachel Longbine said the public meetings created a forum for those voices to be heard.

Longbine, along with some other board members, said they heard from just three district residents, some of them speaking on both sides of the proposal.

More than 95% of Highland teachers preferred a four-day work week in a survey sent to staff members. Retaining and recruiting teachers and staff members was one of the top reasons why Crawford recommended a move to the new format.

“I know it’s a big step. I know it’s a bold step,” Crawford told the Board.

The movement toward a four-day school week has become a national trend with schools in 26 states adopting the format. In Missouri, more than 160 school districts are on a four-day week. Among local schools, Lone Tree is also considering a move to a four-day week.

Crawford is also schools superintendent at WACO, which has been on a four-day format for 10 years.

The proposed 2024-25 calendar still includes three five-day weeks so that the district can complete classes and its state requirement of 1,080 instructional hours before Memorial Day Weekend. The calendar also includes a number of professional development days for teachers.

Even on a week when there is no school on Friday, Crawford said activities and athletic events would still go on.

Facilities Proposal

Locker room improvements and additions emerged as the top project at Highland High School, following an examination of facilities that lasted months and involved school staffers and district residents.

A new bond issue, if approved in next November’s election, would create about $15 million to be used in facility renovations and additions. A new bond would go into effect at the same time as the old bond would be paid off, resulting in no new additional taxes.

The Facilities Committee trimmed down a large “wish list” to four final recommendations: Locker room improvements, the creation of a multi-purpose center that would be used for large events and athletic teams, a renovation of the front area of Highland Elementary School and the addition of four classrooms, and a renovated commons area at Highland High School where the front lobby and cafeteria now exist.

Also on the original list was an auditorium, which did not make the final recommendations due to the funds it would take to build it. The auditorium remains on a future list.

Budget Hearings

The Board set the dates for two public hearings regarding the upcoming 2024-25 school year budget.

A public hearing on the property tax levy rate was set for March 25.

The school budget will be considered at the board’s April 8 meeting.

Early Retirement

The Board approved an early retirement request by Sue Rich, Secretary and Business Manager of the School Board.

She has worked at Highland Schools for 12 years.

She plans to leave the district at the end of June. A search has already begun for her replacement.

Board Action

The Board approved a summer learning program and summer library that will be held at Highland Elementary.

The Board approved bids on door alarms, new cameras and an intercom system with Electronic Engineering of West Burlington at a total cost of over $140,000. The District secured a grant to help with those improvements.

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the payment of general obligation school bonds.

The Board approved the resignation of Shannon Hill Copeman, varsity volleyball coach.

The Board approved a number of policies on second reading.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. March 11. A work session is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26.