The Calico Rock School District is joining a list of schools moving to a shortened week, following a school board vote to approve a four-day schedule for the 2026-27 school year.
The board approved the plan last week after gathering input from faculty, parents, and students. Under the new calendar, school will be in session Tuesday through Friday, with Mondays designated as the day off.
To maintain instructional hours, the school day will be extended, running from 7:40 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Superintendent Rick Green said the primary motivation behind the shift is the well-being and retention of students and staff, rather than a push for budget cuts.
“We’re not doing it as a cost-saving measure,” Green told Baxter County media outlet KTLO. “It gives families that three-day weekend. It allows parents to set up appointments, you know, doctors’ appointments, dentists’ appointments, that type of thing, on that Monday.”
Green also noted that the extra day gives students who work on weekends more time to balance their jobs and academics.
According to Green, the district expects to see a positive impact on the classroom environment. He noted that other districts utilizing a four-day model have reported improved attendance rates among both the student body and the faculty.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
