Raton Board authorizes administrators to negotiate four‑day school week with May 11 contingency

The Raton Board of Education on April 30 voted unanimously to authorize administrators to negotiate a transition to a four‑day school week, with a contingency that the district remain on a five‑day schedule if agreements cannot be reached in time for the May 11, 2026 budget submission.

"There were 705 responses to the survey that was sent out," Kristie Medina said, reporting that 75.4% of respondents "strongly support going to a 4 day school week" and that 71.2% prefer a Monday–Thursday schedule. Board President Phillips said he was "impressed with the number of responses" and voiced support for exploring the change, and other board members likewise signaled support while noting implementation challenges.

District staff and public commenters outlined operational issues the board would need to resolve before a change. Medina said special education services could be "greatly impacted" because individualized education program hours and services would likely need amendment. Transportation Director Nick Cardenas said driver recruitment has been difficult and estimated cutting one school day per week would reduce roughly 30 funded days per year, with implications for FY28 driver hours and routing. Myra Baird said the district is preparing both four‑ and five‑day calendar and budget scenarios to meet submission requirements.

Board members and staff discussed student meals and supports if Fridays were non‑instructional days. Baird said the district could not count a non‑school Friday as a food‑service day but was developing an at‑risk "Backpack Program" to send snacks home on Thursdays. Board members also raised concerns about hourly employees, after‑school programs, unified start times for families and athletics scheduling; Brock Walton noted many games occur on Thursdays and Saturdays, complicating any attempt to shift game days.

Mr. Kamp moved to authorize administration to negotiate the four‑day calendar and attendant budget formulation, with the contingency the district remain on a five‑day week if required agreements are not reached before the May 11 budget deadline. Mr. Boone seconded the motion, and the board approved it by roll call, 5–0.

The vote permits district staff to pursue agreements and prepare budget documents; if necessary agreements are not in place by May 11, the district will remain on the current five‑day schedule.