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Havre Public Schools considers switch to 4-day week

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Havre Public Schools in north-central Montana is looking to potentially transition to a 4-day school week as a way to improve teacher recruitment and boost morale.

Superintendent Craig Mueller shared a report with school board members Tuesday night that looks at the potential impacts of the change. At the end of the meeting, he recapped questions raised by board members.

“Daycare, some concern for the younger kids, maybe what else is being done, is there any other plan? Focus on how this consideration for the four day week helps students, also staff and teachers, but focus on students and special education," he said.

Thereport includes information the district has gathered through a staff and community survey, a community forum, and meetings with other Montana districts that have made the transition.

According to the state Office of Public Instruction, during the 2020-21 school year, around 170 schools in Montana had a 4-day week.

The board is anticipated to make a decision on the 4-day transition at is meeting in March.

Olivia Weitz covers Bozeman and surrounding communities in Southwest Montana for Yellowstone Public Radio. She has reported for Northwest News Network and Boise State Public Radio and previously worked at a daily print newspaper. She is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and the Transom Story Workshop.