Whitehall School Board Continues Research Into 4 Day School Week

The Whitehall School Board met on Tuesday, November 1 and continued their discussion as to whether a four-day school week should be considered for the district.

Whitehall Superintendent Hannah Nieskens presented information from the Three Forks school district, which recently converted to a condensed week and is most like our district, Nieskens said.

Pros noted from the Three Forks research included: attraction for new teacher recruitment and retention, creates additional 30 minutes in the daily schedule for longer labs, etc., provides more flexibility for staff to schedule medical appointments on Fridays, avoiding the need for substitute teachers, allows staff and student participation with Friday school/athletic events, extended time for families with three-day weekends, better attendance, uninterrupted time for professional learning and collaboration one Friday per month, and more. Additional implications and considerations needing to be addressed included daycare concerns for Fridays, Friday employment opportunities for paras, food service and bus drivers, and more.

Nieskens noted that in 2014 there were 55 schools in Montana on a four-day school week; in 2022 there are now 175 schools with a condensed schedule.

A four-day school week would add 45 minutes to the school day, potentially making it 8 AM to 3:45 PM, said Nieskens. The condensed week would cause a loss of the two-week winter break during the holidays as well as spring break since educational hour requirements must still be met during a condensed schedule.

Nieskens addressed the board with this information but added that she needed guidance from the board on whether or not to put a survey out to the community to garner their concerns. The board agreed that public input was needed and asked Nieskens to proceed with a survey.

OTHER NEWS:

• Nieskens said the childcare facility located next to the old gymnasium on Main Street should be on its foundation by April 2023. A Request For Proposals for childcare providers will begin as soon as possible, with a provider hopefully in place by mid-January.

• Whitehall Elementary Principal Kurtis Koenig said the first student incentive award had been given for meeting lunchroom noise standards. Koenig waded through a 200-person water balloon gauntlet to the joy of students.

•Koenig, speaking as the Athletic Director, announced that football closed their season as third in the division, volleyball had brought the wins in at districts, moving on to divisionals, and that the cheer team was the “most improved, awesome team” bringing a great environment to each game. November 17 will be the first practice for wrestling and basketball.

HIRES:

•Emily Dustin-Churchill and Keylmynie Kojakanian were hired as elementary paras; Derek Bingham was hired as elementary custodian; Liberty Caldwell was hired as PK teacher; Anna Wimmer was hired as 4th-grade teacher, which will split Mrs. Loomis’ class in half making it more manageable.