Rangely board OKs four-day school week

RANGELY I After months of studying the possibility of switching to a four-day school week, Rangely School Board members made it official Tuesday.
They unanimously approved making the change.
“There wasn’t any discussion, we just made a motion and it passed,” said Adair Norman, board president. “There was nobody on the board opposed to this, that I’m aware of. I think everybody is happy. We’ve been through it all extensively. There really wasn’t much left to say, other than let’s do this and make it happen and make it work.”
School Superintendent Barry Williams and the administrative staff had provided school board members with information they had collected from research and interviews with schools that use the four-day week.
“Barry just highlighted the implementation plan,” Norman said. “We just wanted to get things lined out. They did a very thorough job. They have tons of information. They have a lot on what to do and what not to do. It doesn’t guarantee it’s going to work, that’s what they heard (from other schools). They heard be prepared with a plan and be prepared to change it.”
Matt Scoggins, school board member and a parent with five children in the school district, recognized there were passionate views on both sides of the four-day school week issue.
“Many people have strong opinions on this issue, and rightfully so,” Scoggins said. “Their children’s education is at stake, and as such, I would expect them to be passionate about the topic. What I hope they understand is that staff, administration and board members have the children of the community as the focal point as well.”
Board member Lisa Piering sees advantages to the four-day week.
“The benefits that I see is that we can provide more timely professional development and collaboration days to our teachers, which we believe will benefit our students,” she said.
Board member Rebecca Rector agreed.
“I really think it will be good for the kids and the teachers,” she said.