Board approves 4-day class week pilot program

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

The Slaton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted in a split 4-2 decision to go forward with a three year pilot for a four-day instructional week Thursday (March 9) during its monthly Board meeting.

Trustees Justin Martin, Gabriel Johnson, Kara Newcomb and Carlos Bentancourt voted for the pilot.

Trustees Greg Schilling and Jamie Diaz were against, while Irma Jaramillo was absent from the meeting.

The Board addressed both pros and cons of the program, including how to help students who might need extra food over the weekend, how it will help teacher recruitment and other concerns that were addressed in a public meeting March 6.

The general consensus of the Board was to focus on how the four day week would help students as well as hiring teachers certified in the subjects they teach.

There will be a discussion on which of three calendars that have been proposed if the pilot program were approved, with the final one to be presented at a future Board meeting.

Trustees also approved the cancellation of a general election for May 6. They also certified the unopposed candidates, Bentancourt for District 4 and Jaramillo for District 3.

The Board also approved administration contracts for several Admin as well as Principals and Assistant Principals in the District.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.