Stony Creek Joint Unified board approves statement on 4-day week, 3-1

The Stony Creek Joint Unified School District Board of Education approved a previously posted statement about the district's 4-day school week initiative during a special meeting May 1 at Elk Creek High School. The motion to approve the statement as originally presented passed 3-1, with Trustee Diana Corkill voting against and Trustee Krystal Craven absent.

Trustee Diana Corkill said the statement "had been presented as a formal opinion of the board, despite not having been approved through board discussion or action," and raised concerns about maintaining proper governance and transparency. President Ritta Martin acknowledged the "collective disappointment" about not moving forward with a 4-day week for the 2025-2026 school year but said that "any public expression on behalf of the board should go through proper approval." The board noted significant engagement from staff, families, and tribal partners during the initiative's exploration.

Community member Andrzej Kubak spoke during public comment to express concerns about the proposed 4-day week. After discussion, President Ritta Martin moved to approve the statement as presented; Cathie Bodeker seconded the motion. The clerk recorded the roll call vote: in favor ' Cathie Bodeker, Delana Martin and Ritta Martin; opposed ' Diana Corkill; absent ' Krystal Craven. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 a.m.

The decision formalizes the statement as the board's position despite the dissent from one trustee and comes after board members said they had invested time exploring a 4-day schedule. The board did not adopt substantive policy changes at the special meeting; no implementation actions or deadlines were set during the session.