Board launches committees to study 4‑day week and semester changes; staff present preliminary IRI/ISAT results

The Pocatello‑Chubbuck School District 25 board agreed on committee membership and timelines to study two calendar options — a potential four‑day school week and conversion between trimester and semester at the secondary level — and received a comprehensive assessment update at its June 19 meeting.

Committee structure and timeline: Trustees sought balanced representation from parents, certified staff and building administrators. By consensus the board directed staff to recruit parents (two per elementary grouping and additional representation for high school considerations), teachers and at least one special education teacher, a coach, district operations and building administrators who are directly involved in master‑schedule building. Trustees asked committees to be in place by early August with the work beginning in September so the board could consider recommendations before the academic year. Trustees emphasized the committees should record meetings and deliver written recommendations to the full board; trustees also agreed members should be solicited via volunteer application so the board can ensure appropriate representation.

Assessment highlights: Curriculum staff presented preliminary Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) results and early ISAT summaries. District K–3 IRI proficiency was reported slightly above statewide averages (district K–3 ~71% vs state 69%); staff highlighted strong school‑level growth at Ellis, Lewis and Clark and Gate City. Staff also reported district patterns that show ELA proficiency rising across grade levels while math proficiency tends to decline in middle and high school; trustees asked staff to prioritize interventions for middle‑grade math and to consider interventions aimed at fourth‑ and fifth‑grade reading comprehension. Presenters noted the 2025–26 IRI used the Amira platform and that some comparisons to prior years are limited because this is a baseline year for the new platform.

Trustees asked that committees consider equity and student support services when recommending calendar or schedule changes. Several trustees emphasized the need to analyze impacts on families (child care, supervision), on staff workload and recruitment, and on special student services. The board will finalize committee charges and membership at the July meeting and asked staff to circulate application and selection materials in July so committees can be appointed in August.