4-day week helps rural Iowa school districts recruit and keep teachers; one feared child-care issues, but it worked out

Shelby Shull, a sixth-grade teacher in the Cardinal district, uses her off day to prepare
for classes, and thus has the weekend free. (Photo by Jim Slosiarek, The Gazette) 

A four-day school week has helped Iowa school districts attract and keep teachers, reports Grace King of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. "The WACO Community School District in Wayland, Iowa, first shifted to a four-day school week a decade ago for the 2013-14 school year. . . . Since then, three other school districts have joined WACO in the four-day school week experiment. . . . School officials are finding it makes it easier to recruit staff, especially in rural communities where it's hard to attract new talent. Educators in these districts said research shows the change does not affect students' test scores."

"WACO High School Principal Tim Bartels said the district has been able to more easily fill vacant teaching positions, and applicants mention the four-day school week drew them to opening. This year, Bartels said, one open teaching position received 14 applications," King writes. "This is especially notable with fewer people entering the profession nationwide. There are about 20 percent fewer people going to college for education degrees since 2000, according to Pew Research Center."

WACO, named for the towns of Wayland, Crawfordsville and Olds, includes five rural counties with two schools, but its four-day model is being considered by bigger districts.

Cardinal Community School District in Eldon, Iowa, serves 1,100 students, has also moved to the shortened week. "Supt. Joel Pedersen said the switch to a four-day school week this year was to 'stay competitive' with larger schools in more urban areas that can offer higher salaries to staff. Earlier this year, the school board approved continuing the four-day model for the 2023-24 school year." 

Before Wayland's switch, district officials anticipated a possible child-care crisis, but the issue resolved itself. King explains, "Child care providers, educators and residents said many families already had contingencies for days when children weren't in school during the week, including grandparents watching the kids and high school students earning money babysitting. . . . When WACO schools first shifted to a four-day school week, child care was offered to families on Fridays throughout the district. The child care option was discontinued after just two years because of lack of attendance."