More Missouri School Districts Switch to Four-Day Weeks

This year, more Missouri schools are taking advantage of four-day work weeks than ever before. According to state data, a record 28 school districts have made the transition. Missouri has permitted school districts to adopt four-day weeks since 2010. Early on, only a small number made the change, largely because the economy was going down and the state budget was tight. Now, schools are making the switch because of recruiting and retention issues. Another advantage is additional time for professional development or training. The trend has been most notable in rural districts that lack the ability to compete with larger cities on salaries. Schools that have made the transition have longer school days and are more focused on curriculum.