News : Belle Plaine to consider four-day school week

Belle Plaine Community School District is considering something a little out of the box. They are considering a four day school week after community support was shown for the idea.

Last year the school conducted a survey that sought feedback on the idea and it received a positive response to the idea. The idea came from parents, teachers and community members. As a follow up, the District plans to conduct public forums in the next few weeks to hear the opinions of the community.

The School Improvement Advisory Committee recommended that the district present the idea to the school board. The board then presented information to staff members during their December 19, 2024 meeting. The discussed contract days, academic trends, daycare, teacher work days, sport and potential conflicts.

Some feedback on the decision to consider it has shown that schools that have done this have said that they are fully staffed for the first time. However, the school said they aren't considering this move to save money by not running busses or not having the school open five days a week.

Belle Plaine is currently short one preschool teacher, has no STEM teacher and has been unable to find a long-term art teacher.

The four day week not only benefits the staffing issues, but students and parents believe that it will benefit the work/home/family life.

Belle Plaine's school board will probably make a decision in March considering the move.

Iowa Code requires school districts and accredited non-public schools to choose between 180 days or 1,080 hours of instruction in a school year. There is no minimum or maximum requirement for the school days.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, several school districts in Iowa have a four-day week. The list includes, Cardinal, Central Decatur, East Union, Highland, Keota, Martensdale-St. Mary's, Melcher-Dallas, Moravia, Mormon Trail, Moulton-Udell, Murray, North Iowa, Saydel, Seymour, Sidney, Twin Cedars, WACO and Winfield-Mt. Union Community School Districts.

Only six Iowa school districts had a four day week in 2023-24 and 12 more schools adopted the format in 2024-25.