Could A Four-day School Week Be Coming To Iron County?

The Iron County School District’s ongoing discussion about a possible transition to a four-day school week was the focus of a recent conversation on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio, where Superintendent Dr. Lance Hatch and Communications Director Shauna Lund addressed public questions, survey data and the process now underway. With school closures being debated in several Utah districts, the host asked why Iron County is instead considering a schedule change and how the idea came to the forefront.

Dr. Hatch explained that the concept did not originate in the district office but from community input, noting during the broadcast that “this is an idea that just came forward through the board to me. It’s not something that was on my radar, but something they’ve been hearing from parents.” He added that the district’s recent survey drew 2,600 parent responses, and “70% of the parents said, yeah, we like this idea.”

While the proposal initially arose as a short-term response to lost revenue—specifically the tax commission’s refusal to certify a property-tax rate that would have generated $2.8 million—Hatch emphasized that the conversation has broadened. “It started out with trying to recoup some of that lost funding, but then it evolved into the conversation of parents wanting time with their families,” he said. Extracurricular scheduling also plays a role, with many activities occurring on Fridays.

District Provides Possible Options For Parents On Traditional Work Week

Concerns about childcare and the needs of families with traditional workweeks have also surfaced. Hatch explained on the broadcast that other districts have addressed this through partnerships, saying, “There are grants, there are third-party groups… Imagine 4-H coming in on Fridays… Boys and Girls Clubs.” He noted that programs could expand to Fridays without interfering with family time.

District employees have offered mixed feedback. According to Hatch, “75% of our licensed employees… like the idea and they can see benefits,” though some hourly workers are concerned about changes to schedules or pay. Savings are possible, particularly in transportation, where Hatch said the district could reduce costs because “we drive our buses 4,000 miles a day.”

The district will hold public town halls on December 2 at 6 p.m. at Parowan High, Canyon View High and Cedar High. Each will include a presentation and an opportunity for community comment before the school board considers the matter. School Board members will be present at each location.

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Students themselves are not universally aligned, either. As Lund noted on the broadcast, “Surprisingly, we’ve heard from some students that they like the five days… it’s a social thing for them as well as… just a safe place.”

The discussion now moves to the community, with district leaders emphasizing that public input will play a key role before any decision moves on to the Utah State Board of Education.

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You can hear our entire discussion with Dr. Hatch and Shauna Lund in the podcast below.