Committee forwards Daggett School District four‑day week waiver renewal after data review

The Utah State Board of Education’s Law & Licensing Committee voted unanimously to forward Daggett School District’s request to renew its waiver to continue a four‑day school week, after district leaders presented multi‑year data showing academic gains and reduced absenteeism.

Superintendent Northcutt told the committee Daggett has operated a four‑day schedule since 2013 and provided four‑year trend data showing increases in grades, reading scores, concurrent‑enrollment participation and CTE course passing rates, along with declines in failed classes and chronic absenteeism. Northcutt said surveys included with the district’s packet show 88% of parents, 97% of students and 100% of teachers favor continuing the four‑day schedule.

"All of our data is up," Northcutt said, adding the district has worked to compress the school day while preserving instructional minutes. He credited teacher Alan Staggs of Manila Elementary with compiling the data and said the community is closely connected to the schedule.

Committee members asked specific questions about student routines, shortened lunches and fatigue. Chair Carey cited parent feedback that younger children may need longer eating periods; Northcutt said elementary students typically receive a combined eating/recess block totaling roughly 35–40 minutes in some configurations, while some sites now schedule lunches of about 21–26 minutes and redistribute time from passing periods and recess.

On concerns about students being "too tired" late in an extended day, Carey noted that a survey item on that point had a weaker correlation (62%) than other items. Northcutt said the effect varies by student and is more apparent in high school settings, where tight transitions to practices can leave athletes hungry before afternoon activities; the district has adjusted high school lunch timing and encourages students to carry snacks.

Committee members also asked whether the district still observes a 990‑hour standard. Staff clarified the state no longer requires 990 instructional hours and now uses a 180‑day requirement, though financial calculations still reference 990 hours. Northcutt said Daggett continues to use 990 hours as a local standard to preserve instructional time.

After discussion, a committee member moved to approve Daggett’s renewal request from R277‑419‑4 and forward it to the full board. The motion passed unanimously. The superintendent asked whether the committee’s approval covered the four‑year term requested in his written application; committee leadership said term length would be decided when the full board considers the item.

The packet submitted by Daggett included surveys, multi‑year academic and attendance data and documentation of the district’s public hearings, which committee members noted were thorough even though public attendance at those hearings was low.