RAINS, Texas — During Monday night's school board meeting, the Rains ISD School Board voted to approve a four-day instructional week beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
"This decision was made in consideration of months of research and input from around the RISD community," the district said in a statement.
The district listed some of the benefits they've identified that come with the switch:
- Increase teacher and staff satisfaction and encourage lasting employees
- Reduce amount of training needed each year for new employees
- Retaining quality teachers and staff
- Slightly extended school day means increase in daily instructional time
- Some studies indicate a reduction in behavior referrals for schools utilizing a four-day instructional week
- With an extra day for personal/family business, staff and students can improve attendance
- Extra family time with longer weekends
- More work opportunities for older students
- Student and staff morale increase
- Instructional staff has more time to prepare quality lessons
- Opportunity for increased professional development throughout the year
Elementary and intermediate students will attend classes from 7:40 a.m. - 4:05 p.m., while junior high and high school students will have classes from 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. The first day of school will be Aug. 7 and the school year will end May 30.