Steering team recommends against four-day week; trustees keep five-day schedule for Buffalo schools

The steering team that studied a proposed four-day school week recommended that Buffalo schools remain on the current five-day schedule, and the board accepted that recommendation after discussion.

Dr. Hansen, who led the steering team’s presentation, said the group used a year of research, surveys and community forums to weigh the advantages and disadvantages and concluded the benefits did not outweigh the risks for district students. “At this time, the steering team is not recommending that Buffalo schools go to a 4 day school week,” Dr. Hansen said.

Trustees and committee members described the process as thorough and community-driven: the study group included 20–30 community members at various meetings, the district surveyed households and held a community forum two weeks before the board meeting. Trustees praised the process but noted the study also surfaced concerns — transportation, childcare and instructional continuity — that the district will address through strategic planning and school-level conversations.

The board voted to accept the steering team’s recommendation by voice vote. The administration said it will incorporate the steering team’s findings into the district’s strategic planning and asked building administrators to review concerns at the school level.