With the potential for significant financial savings and amid initial, largely positive feedback, Ely school officials will continue to explore the possibility of transitioning to a four-day school week in 2026-27.
A staff survey yielded support and the district will next survey families with plans for a more comprehensive discussion at a March 23 study session.
That sets the stage for school board action as soon as April.
“Somewhere in April, the board needs to decide if we’re going to do this,” said superintendent Anne Oelke, citing timelines including a mandate to seek state approval for the switch.
Several area school districts, including the neighboring St. Louis County 2142 (Babbitt-Embarrass and Tower-Soudan) and Lake Superior (Two Harbors/Silver Bay) districts have shifted to a four-day schedule, and some other regional districts are also exploring similar options.
Finances are driving the discussion, given several years of deficit spending by the Ely district and an updated estimate showing the district could save as much as $183,000 in general fund expenditures next year by making the move, according to projections provided Monday by district finance manager Jordan Huntbatch.
“To have that number, $183,000, on the table, it’s not something we can not look at,” said Oelke.
That’s particularly so given estimates that the district may have to trim $400,000 or more from its budget in 2026-27, given rising expenditures, a continued decline in student enrollment and state aid losses related to high school student defections to the Vermilion campus of Minnesota North College.
“It shows how big the four-day week could be toward our finances for next year,” said Huntbatch, Board member Tony Colarich agreed and added that the savings realized by moving to four days is recurring.
By moving to four days, schools save money in numerous ways, slashing transportation and hourly wage expenditures, as well as substitute costs.
Ely school officials reported that nearby districts have also reported positive experiences with the fourday week.
Other districts that have moved to the four-day week, have seen “an increase in attendance and an improvement in per se, the vibe of the school,” Oelke told the board.
During Monday’s board study session, Oelke shared the results of a staff survey that showed 76 percent favored a four-day week, with 21 percent unsure and the remaining three percent opposed. About two-thirds of the district staff participated.
Oelke described the overall tone of the responses as “optimistic, thoughtful and focused on student success,” with financial stability, mental health/work-life balance, improved attendance, instructional benefits and recruitment, retention and enrollment among the top reasons for support.
But with the potential switch have come numerous questions, related to the daily schedule and school calendar, new school hours, curriculum pacing, academic rigor, elective offerings, staff compensation, the impact on families, child care needs and how activities, athletics and facility use might change.
Oelke said the district would work to provide answers to those questions in March, and that the March 23 board study session would be promoted to families as an opportunity to get family and community member feedback and address questions.
The four-day week could be either a temporary or longterm solution, as Oelke noted that North Branch went to a four-day week for financial reasons and later switched back while Lake Superior “never looked back.”
“We’re not the only school that has ever looked at this,” said Oelke. “We have a lot of resources. We have 2142, Lake County, MIB next to us. It’s not like we are reinventing. We have to make it work for what we need to do.”
The survey to families is set to be out late this week and will be posted on the district website as well.
“I want to be super ready and give answers before any decisions are made,” said Oelke.
Board members stopped short of endorsing the fourday week proposal, but several indicated strong interest in moving ahead.
“It’s no surprise this is a topic,” said board member Hollee Coombe. “I remember mentioning it when (late school board chair) Ray (Marsnik) was still here. It’s been on our radar for a long time.”
Board member Erin Moravitz endorsed an educational effort to promote the benefits and the reasons for a potential shift.
“You have families who are really concerned with this and may not see the big picture of this and I would encourage them to come with an open mind with it and see the benefits that come with it,” said Moravitz.
She added that the general public may also need some convincing.
“I’ve had a few people approach me as well who are more traditional,” said Moravitz. “And they just absolutely do not like it. That’s why I think it’s very imperative to understand the why behind it.”
