Committee approves Iron Countys request to pursue four‑day school week, forwards waiver to full board

The Utah State Board of EducationLaw & Licensing Committee on May 8 voted to forward Iron County School Districts request for a waiver from the 180‑day school year rule so the district can implement a four‑day school week, after an extended presentation and questions about student supervision, food access and special‑education services.

Deputy Superintendent Newi introduced the process for submitting legislative or rule changes at the start of the meeting; the Iron County waiver discussion followed. Superintendent Lance Hatch told the committee the district conducted surveys, town halls and staff meetings and found roughly 61% of parents express a preference for a four‑day week and that about 80% of parents said they felt somewhat or very confident they could make a four‑day schedule work. Hatch said the proposal would affect “just over 10,000” students in the district and that the board had asked him to present the request so the district could determine whether the state would be supportive.

Committee members asked detailed questions about the evidence on student outcomes, program design for Fridays and the effects on classified staff. Hatch acknowledged concerns in the public input: the largest reservations were about children being unsupervised on the extra day off and food insecurity, and some teachers raised instructional‑quality worries. He also said the district had considered funding options for Friday programs, including grants and community partnerships, but had not finalized specific plans. “We have food bags that go out on Fridays to students,” he said, and added the district would seek funding and coordinate with community partners if a waiver were approved.

Member Carol (Member Lear) said she supported local control but was not prepared to support the request "right now," citing the scale of the proposal (many schools and students), special‑education concerns and a desire for a stronger plan for Friday supervision and services. Superintendent Hatch replied that the local board voted unanimously to submit the waiver to the state committee and that, if approved, the waiver would be phased in for the following school year — giving the district time to plan Friday programs.

Supporters on the committee said the waiver could improve teacher morale and collaboration time. Member Longacre cited internal survey language showing educators described exhaustion and lack of collaboration time, and said a three‑day weekend could help retention. Several members requested a condition: a return report after implementation. Chair Joe Kerry said the committee generally requests a 90‑day post‑implementation report, and Hatch agreed to return to the committee to report on outcomes and problems after the waiver takes effect.

The committee made a motion to approve Iron County School Districts waiver request and forward it to the full board for final approval. The motion carried with a single recorded no vote from Member Carol (Lear); the committee recorded no other individual no votes on the record. The full board will take final action at a later meeting.

Whathappens next: the waiver would not take effect for the upcoming year but would apply the following school year, allowing the district time to finalize Friday services, plans for food access and staffing adjustments. The committee asked for a 90‑day implementation update if the board approves the waiver.

Sources and attribution: quotes and data above are drawn from Superintendent Lance Hatchs presentation and committee questioning on May 8 (Deputy Newi introduced the item; members who questioned or commented include Member Carol, Member Longacre, Vice Chair Ballinger and Chair Joe Kerry).