Eunice Municipal Schools defends move to four-day week after state inquiry; board approves 2026-27 calendar

The Eunice Municipal Schools Board discussed a late letter from the New Mexico Public Education Department that asked how the district will implement a four-day instructional week next school year and then approved the revised 2026'27 calendar.

Administrator and Mr. Richard told the board that, despite moving to four days, students and teachers will have more total in-school time than the prior schedule. "Even though we're on a 4-day, they're still they still will have more classroom time," Mr. Richard said, adding that teachers will also have more work time under the new schedule.

Board members heard that the department's letter compared four-day districts to similar five-day schools using an older, pre-COVID study. The presenter walked board members through a simple hours comparison to show the district's calculation (reducing school days but adding hours per day) results in a net increase in instructional hours.

Administrators framed the change as also reducing travel-related disruptions for staff who coach and supervise extracurriculars in distant districts. The speaker noted the district shifted many athletic events to Thursday nights, Fridays and Saturdays to limit weekday travel and absences.

The board approved the 2026'27 calendar by motion and roll-call vote so families could begin planning. The administration said it would prepare a formal response to the state department and provide the board with any follow-up information.

The meeting adjourned following a brief question-and-answer exchange about the state comparison and the roll-call approval of routine items.