By Shannon Lukens.

The majority of the Steamboat Springs community is opposed to a four-day school week. The school district sent out a survey at the request of the local teacher’s union. There were 1,157 responses. Twenty percent of those were school district employees. Close to 57% (56.8%) of those who responded are against the Steamboat Springs School District moving forward with exploring a 4-day school week.

The neighboring districts of Hayden, Soroco, and Moffat County are all on a four-day school week.

 

Here are the details from Steamboat Springs School District; April 10, 2023.

 

Majority of Steamboat Springs Community Opposes a Four-Day School Week

Respondents cite child care, work obligations as the most prominent disadvantages

 

Steamboat Springs, Colo. – April 10, 2023 – According to a recent survey conducted by the Steamboat Springs School District, 56.8% of respondents oppose moving forward with the continued exploration of a four-day school week for the Steamboat Springs School District. 

 

The survey garnered 1,157 responses. The majority of respondents were community members (approximately 80%). Twenty percent of the respondents were Steamboat Springs School District employees. Of the respondents who work for the district, 72.48% were certified staff, and 27.52% were classified staff. 

 

“I want to thank the community at-large for taking the time to respond to this survey,” said Dr. Celine Wicks, superintendent. “This isn’t just a decision that impacts our students, staff, and SSSD families; it affects our entire community, so everyone’s voices needed to be heard.” 

 

The top themes that emerged when respondents were asked to name the disadvantages of the four-day school week were complications with childcare, conflicts with parental work schedules, and longer school days for students. The most significant advantages respondents recognized were flexibility for appointments, more family time, and travel. 

 

Almost half (48.75%) of respondents said a four-day school week would interfere with any current or future arrangements for their family, such as child care, family care, work obligations, or food security. Thirty-sixty percent replied there would not be interference, while 15.25% selected unsure or not applicable.

 

“Many of our neighboring school districts have successfully implemented and adapted to four-day school weeks,” said Dr. Wicks. “They all made the change for various reasons. Meeker switched for financial reasons, and Hayden’s decision was driven by their board of education. But for all the districts, the decision was right for their communities. The Steamboat Springs community has expressed that this isn’t the right decision for our schools and community, and it is not in the best interest of the community to move forward with the continued exploration of a four-day school week. I, and the Board of Education, will respect the wishes of the community at-large. ”

 

The survey was conducted at the request of the Steamboat Springs Education Association, the teacher’s union. The survey was open from March 24 through April 7, and was available in English and Spanish. 

 

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