MARTENSDALE, Iowa — Students at Martensdale-St. Marys schools will operate on a four-day schedule beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the district announced on Thursday.
The district's Board of Directors approved the change on Wednesday evening, a move the district hopes will inspire more teachers to join the staff, prioritize mental health for students and cultivate a better school culture.
Students will now have Saturday, Sunday and Monday off from school.
"Monday was selected by the Board of Directors as it accounts for the few Mondays where holidays occur, and it will allow our high school students to continue with sports and activities as usual," the district's statement reads in part.
The district started looking into the change back in October 2023 with teacher recruitment and retainment in mind, but soon found more benefits for students and teachers.
"This decision did not come without a good deal of study and feedback from stakeholders in our community. We greatly appreciate the participation of members of our school community that shared their appreciation and concern for examining this concept," the statement reads.
A full school year calendar will be presented and voted on at a Board of Directors meeting in March. That schedule will finalize new start and end times, a bus schedule and day care plans.
"We recognize that this change adds to a level of anxiety related to school for students, staff, and families," the statement says. "We will continue to prepare and plan for the next school year with that in mind and ensure that we communicate along the way."
Multiple districts in Iowa have either proposed or adopted a shortened school week, like Cardinal Community Schools in southern Iowa or Saydel Community School District.