The MACCRAY school district in west-central Minnesota is poised to go to a four-day school week next year to save on busing and heating fuel.

Superintendent Greg Schmidt said Tuesday the move will save about $65,000 from the district's $7 million budget, mostly in transportation costs.

The state Education Department still needs to approve the move according to Schmidt, but if it is approved MACCRAY will be the first district in Minnesota to reduce its week to four days.

Schmidt said the plan would cut 23 days out of the year by eliminating school on Mondays when classes would normally be in session. The school day would expand by an hour Tuesday through Friday.

The district will also save money by turning down the heat in its buildings for another day a week, which conserves fuel, Schmidt said.

The MACCRAY school district isn’t the only one considering the four-day week alternative.

According to the National Conference of State Legislature’s Web site, strapped state budgets and rising transportation costs have caused the four-day school week to become an increasingly attractive option.

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) reports that mostly rural school districts in a handful of states are experimenting with altering their school calendar.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the MACCRAY school district has approximately 700 students spread over 350 square miles.

The MACCRAY School Board unanimously approved the plan on Monday.

Related Information

• National Conference of State Legislature: 4-Day School Week Program Overview