MO school district switches to 4 day week schedule due to teacher and funding shortage

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Missouri school district votes to adopt 4-day school week

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A Missouri school district voted Tuesday evening to adopt a four-day school week starting in fall 2023.

The decision marks the first time Independence School District will make such a switch, according to Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl.

"The impetus behind it was to attract and retain staff," Herl told "Good Morning America" Wednesday, noting that discussions for the proposal began back in August.

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"If you look across the country, there is a significant teacher shortage but it even goes beyond teachers as well. There's a shortage for individuals who can drive buses, paraprofessionals, so it's not just about trying to fill teaching positions but certainly that's something that we're very focused upon," Herl said.

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Nationally, teachers who have walked away from the profession have cited burnout, a lack of respect and low compensation as reasons for leaving.

Herl said Independence School District's starting pay for teachers begins at $41,150 and tops out at $81,713 for a veteran teacher, but like many school districts around the U.S., it has seen fewer applicants for teaching and staff positions in recent years, especially those in special education and STEM fields, due to a variety of factors.

"I think it's a combination of things. It's everything from compensation to work-life balance to the amount of time it takes to be a teacher," Herl said, adding that he's noticed

Missouri universities have also graduated fewer education students as well.

But the move to four days for teachers and students has at least made an immediate impact, said Herl. "Since the discussions started with the school board regarding a four day week, we looked at the applicants that we've received, and our applications are up almost 40% compared to the same time last year," the superintendent said.

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