ACADIA PARISH, LA (EVEN News)- The Acadia Parish School Board approved a proposal to shorten the school week to 4-days.
The new schedule will be implemented at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Superintendent Scott Richard says the four-day workweek would extend school days by an hour to make sure an equal amount of time is spent in the classroom.
“We’re basically compressing a full normal school day and work day into four days," stated Richard.
The school board voted to designate Monday as the day off for students and staff. Mondays will be incorporated as non-instructional/non-work days into draft calendars for the Board's future consideration.
"Goals for final calendars that incorporate the four day work week continue to be focused on providing quality instruction for students," a release stated. "Not extending the work day unreasonably and maintaining traditionally recognized holidays."
Richard, the superintendent, says a shortage of teachers and staff was the driving factor in the decision to go to a 4-day school week.