Committee grants three-year waiver renewal allowing Tabiona Schools to continue four-day week

The Utah State Board of Education Law and Licensing Committee approved a three-year renewal of a waiver that allows Tabiona Schools in Duchesne County to continue operating on a four-day school week rather than the standard five-day schedule.

Assistant Attorney General Ashley Beal summarized the request as a renewal from a small, rural district: "This waiver request is, as you stated, it's a renewal request, out of Duchesne County for the Tabiona Schools. It's a request that they've had for quite a few years, and they are a necessary necessary, existent, small school, super small district," Beal said.

Principal Jenkins addressed the committee and credited the four-day week with improving attendance: "I just want to tell you the board, thank you for, giving us the opportunity to have the 4 day school week. It it's really improved. I I feel it's improved our educational purposes because we have kids in school and not gone all the time. And and so I I just wanna tell you thank you for allowing us to have that," Jenkins said.

The committee voted unanimously to approve Tabiona Schools' waiver renewal from R277-419-4 (four-day school week / 180-day requirement) and forward the recommendation to the full board for final approval. Staff confirmed the district provided the student data and progress reports requested in the waiver backup.

The waiver will cover the next three years; the committee recorded no dissent during the motion and said the decision will proceed to the board for final action.