Garfield County school gets OK for 4-day school week

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SALT LAKE CITY — Starting this fall, Boulder Elementary School in Garfield County will shift to four-day school weeks.

On Thursday, the Utah State Board of Education voted unanimously to grant a waiver of a state board rule that says schools must conduct school for at least 180 days and 990 hours per year. The school will add time to each school day to meet the hourly requirement, school officials said.

The school, which serves less than 20 students, is very remote and rural. If a student or staff member has a medical or dental appointment it means they will miss most, if not an entire day of school to travel for care. Same goes for adults who need groceries or professional services such as banking.

The school requested the waiver so families and employees can schedule personal and professional appointments on a specific day of the week, with the goal of reducing absences of students and staff.

The change was backed by the Garfield Board of Education. Surveys of parents, staff and students likewise indicated overwhelming support for moving to a four-day school week.

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