BY SUMMER CRANDALL

The youth in the Independence School District will continue to see the weekly schedule that many didn’t ever see possible. Four-day school weeks were just passed by popular vote in the city of Independence. This means Independence schools will only host students in class for four days per week over the next ten years. What does this look like? 

The school board had approved a 4-day school week for students several years ago, and the ISD has been operating on that schedule for several years now. This vote will continue their four-day school week for the next ten years as the votes for won in a landslide tallying near 62% of the total vote.

The district first made the switch in 2023, holding classes Tuesday through Friday while offering Monday enrichment, tutoring, and childcare programs. Former superintendent Dr. Dale Herl has said the change was designed to address staffing shortages and teacher burnout while maintaining academic quality.

Since the change, the district has seen strong results. Teacher retention rose from 81% to 90.8%, and academic growth scores have met or exceeded expectations across grade levels, according to KSHB 41 News and KMBC 9 News.

However, not everyone is on board. Some families told KMBC that finding childcare on Mondays and managing longer school days has been challenging.

With voter approval now secured, the four-day week will remain in place through 2035, unless future ballots overturn the decision. 

Whether the four day week remains a long term fixture will depend on the voters, but for now, students and teachers alike are settling into a rhythm that once seemed impossible: a shorter week with big results.