Kellogg School District enjoys attendance boost after switching to four-day schedule

KELLOGG — The school district here is reporting that the new four-day week schedule implemented this year has led to increased student and staff attendance. 

“An analysis of the data regarding the four-day week looks extremely promising,” Kellogg School District Superintendent Lance Pearson said. “Student attendance is up approximately 5% at all of our schools in the district.”  

According to Pearson, Idaho is among the seven states that don’t use enrollment numbers for funding. Rather, Idaho uses average daily attendance as a metric. This reported 5% increase in attendance could have huge ramifications for the district’s funding.  

Teacher absenteeism is also down.

“Our staff work-related absences are down almost 50% from the previous year,” Pearson said while noting that the district is saving thousands of dollars by not having to pay as many substitutes.  

The community has also taken advantage of the additional free day, with businesses like Silver Mountain offering a special “Friday Pass” to area kids and adults to give them something to do on their days off during the winter.  

Pearson said he understands that no system is perfect, and that even with the new schedule trending very favorably for the district, there will always be some who find it more challenging.  

“Making the decision to pilot a four-day week was heavily based on the importance of strengthening and supporting Kellogg School District families,” Pearson said. “We look forward to hearing feedback from patrons at the end of first semester when we offer a follow-up survey to the one we used at the end of the 23-24 school year.”