Survey shows strong support for a 4‑day school week; Pojoaque Valley board to review results Feb. 25

Superintendent Dr. Chanel Segura told the board on Feb. 11 that the district’s community calendar survey—still open through the coming Friday—had attracted 1,288 responses and showed substantial support for a four‑day school week, with about 79% of respondents favoring the four‑day option and 21% preferring a traditional five‑day calendar.

Segura said the survey used a five‑point scale to measure support and that families, staff and students contributed responses; open‑ended answers raised questions about instructional time, student services and logistics. “We will share the full survey results with you,” Segura said, adding that she expects to bring a recommendation to the board at its Feb. 25 meeting.

Board members discussed models for a four‑day schedule. Segura noted there are multiple models—some keep a full paid central office five days a week while school‑based staff work longer days Monday–Thursday; others use Friday for planning and meetings. She emphasized state statutory requirements for instructional minutes and that any change must not reduce hourly pay for classified employees. Board members asked staff to examine how athletics, transportation and meal service would operate under different options and to contact neighboring districts about implementation lessons.

Segura said district staff are already reaching out to smaller districts that have adopted four‑day weeks to learn lessons about scheduling, staffing and attendance. She said the district will monitor attendance and other metrics if a change is adopted and will be prepared to return to a five‑day model if outcomes decline.

What’s next: full survey results will be provided to the board and a formal recommendation is expected at the Feb. 25 meeting.