A Missouri school district has approved a 4-day school week for students, according to NBC. The Independence School District school board reportedly voted 6-1 to approve a four-day school week for the 2023/24 school year.
Students will be expected to turn up to class Tuesday through Friday. And each school day will be extended by 35 minutes. But it's worth noting that schools will remain open on Mondays for students who wish to attend or cannot stay home.
Teachers at the The Independence School District won't be mandated to show up to work on Mondays for days of "voluntary learning." However, anyone who does turn up to work will receive a higher hourly pay, per NBC.
The Independence School District in Missouri claims that switching to a 4-day week is necessary because of teacher shortages and a lack of support staff. For example, drivers, janitors, and other people who are integral to the daily operations of schools in Missouri.
It's also worth noting that Missouri has low teacher retention rates - with many leaving the profession for higher-paying jobs. "Too many teachers leave the profession," said the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. "There are fewer teachers available to replace them. As a result, when schools cannot find teachers, they are forced to leave positions vacant or fill vacant positions with teachers who aren’t certified for that content area."
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