Photo Credit: Meade School District Website
STURGIS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Schools in Sturgis are exploring the possibility of switching to a four-day school week, a move supporters say could improve staff retention, morale and the overall student experience.
Mead School District Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt says longer weekends could offer several benefits for both students and school employees. Among the potential advantages are improved staff morale, better employee retention and increased student morale.
Wormstadt also noted that data from other school districts shows students who transition to a four-day schedule generally prefer to stay with the shorter school week.
To learn more about the potential change, a committee made up of 18 community residents has been formed. The group is gathering information and examining what a four-day school week could look like for Sturgis schools.
Nearby Belle Fourche has operated on an alternative school schedule for several years. The district has also developed a Friday program to provide additional support for families who need assistance on the day students are not regularly in class.
The discussions in Sturgis are part of an effort to better understand the potential benefits and challenges before deciding whether a four-day school week would be a good fit for the community.
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