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The five schools in the St. Louis County school district could switch to a four-day week starting next school year. That’s the recommendation the 2142 board will consider at a meeting on Tuesday.
District superintendent Reggie Engebritson said in an interview Wednesday that the concerns raised by parents in a survey last fall will be addressed.
“The first time this was up for a vote in November after a survey had strong support in favor of a four-day week we also had a large group of parents who would consider leaving if there wasn’t school-age care,” said Engebritson.
“So I recommended we pause becausewealsohadfournewboard members coming on in January and I wanted to get a sense of where they were at. We also put a committee together to look at how we could offer school-age care,” said Engebritson.
School-age care would be programs the district or others would provide on Fridays when school isn’t in session.
The committee presented at the last board study session that school-age care could be provided at each of the five schools and would be ready to go next school year.
“We don’t think we need to wait another year,” said Engebritson The district would need to apply to the state by April 25. Engebritson said, “So the clock is ticking.”
Trying to fill a $1.5 million budget deficit caused by declining enrollment and state mandates has put the district in this position. The 2142 district buses students 1.5 million miles per year.
“Not having routes on Fridays would give us a savings of $500,000,” said Engebritson.
She said teachers would work the same number of hours with a longer school day four days a week. There would also be four Fridays teachers would be required to work for grades and professional development.
Class periods would go from 50 minutes to 60 minutes under the four-day proposal.
Engebritson said the district will look to its Community Education department to provide school-age care.
“We’re hoping for a one adult to 10 student ratio for half or full-day care,” said Engebritson.
According to a school board study session, there would be a half-day and full-day option with parents required to register a week ahead of time with no drop-ins allowed. Lunch and possibly breakfast would be provided. a “Our hope is that it would all equal out with funds from our Community Education fund, we hope to use those dollars or grant programs. Meals are already provided and we hope that what we charge parents would equal out,” said Engebritson.
She also said the Lake Superior school district has had a four-day week for 10 years. Mt. Iron-Buhl, where Engebritson is also the superintendent recently voted to go to four days next school year.
“Other districts that have done this and found that after a year parents find other solutions for Fridays. Lake Superior said there was a need in the beginning but after that not as much,” said Engebritson Other options for parents could include churches or Boys and Girls Club programs.
Engebritson said the four-day week is only a part of the solution for filling the $1.5 million gap. The district is also making cuts to staff, teachers, paraprofessionals and custodians.
She said the district realizes there are several unknowns in switching from five days to four.
“If our school numbers continue to drop we’re going to have to look at this, we’re going to hope this helps us attract students. Parents of elementary students may very well open enroll to another district,” said Engebritson.
If the 2142 board votes at Monday’s 5 p.m. meeting to apply to the state, the application is for a six-year period. However, the board can discontinue the four-day week after one year.
Enrollment for 2142 has never returned to pre-Covid numbers.
“In the 2019-2020 school year, our overall enrollment was 2,016 and now we’re at 1,823. This problem exists at other districts, Hibbing is making cuts, Rock Ridge and Mesabi East. MIB is one of the few districts that has not had a decline in enrollment,” said Engebritson.
The Ely school district is looking to make $450,000 in cuts for the next school year.
The key for 2142 will be to not lose students and the revenue they bring with them, especially if that loss exceeds the projected $500,000 in savings.
“When we looked at the survey of the parents and staff, if all the parents who said they were going to leave had left it would have cost us more than $500,000. That’s why I said we needed to pause in November,” said Engebritson.
The recommendation to the board from the administration will be to change to a four-day week for the 2025-2026 school year.
“I think it’s financially important and also for mental health. There’s a concern in the state and country to offer a more work-like balance for students and staff. If we don’t and other districts go to four days that could draw from us. And we may see other districts go this route,” said Engebritson.
