Over the next year, the Newton School District will be looking into the advantages and disadvantages of a four day school week. Input from parents, teachers, and the community will also be sought, according to Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger.

“The reason we are starting on this so early is because we need more input from the community. We also need to engage more people in it because if any change is made, it would be a considerable change. We need to make sure we do our due diligence and get folks engaged.”

Messenger says enough interest has been shown in a four day school week, that it needs to be thoroughly looked at. Staff meetings are occurring this week on the issue, and some staff and public surveys have already been completed. The Newton Superintendent notes there are approximately a dozen Iowa schools on a four day a week schedule, and all but one are districts that are much smaller than Newton. Hear more about this topic and other school issues from Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.