Proposed Schedule Change Sparks Discussion

WALKER COUNTY, GA. (WDEF) – Walker County Schools is considering a shift to a four-day school week, prompting discussion across the community. 

The district is collecting feedback through a survey as district leaders weigh the potential benefits and challenges of the proposal.

Some parents say a shorter week could help improve student attendance and make scheduling doctor or dentist appointments easier. 

Others are concerned about the potential impact on students who rely on schools for meals, daily routines, or additional learning support.

One local mother, Jenn Holland Parent of Walker County Schools Student, explained: 

“In my opinion it wouldn’t work for the county as a whole cause what works for me wouldn’t work for like someone down the street and to me it wouldn’t be fair for them to go to four days a week when there are so many people in the county, who are actually struggling to make ends meet as it is, and then tack on another cost for child care,” (Holland).

She also highlighted the importance of school for some families beyond academics.

“There are so many families in this county, unfortunately that are food insecure and so taking one day a week is also taking two meals a day out of those children’s mouths that need them,” (Holland).

Several parents on Walker County Schools’ Facebook page raised concerns about students with learning disabilities. 

Holland went on to comment that: 

“I know several other children who are on the higher end of the autism spectrum that if you took that one day a week, it would kind of destroy their entire existence just for lack of better analogy because they’re used to that Monday through Friday they know what classes they go to they know what time they eat,” (Holland).

Some parents noted that some children need extra instructional time.

Holland told News 12 that: 

“Some children don’t learn the same pace as other children and so sometimes they need that extra day they could give them extra time to complete assignments and extra time to work with their teachers just in case they didn’t understand something and when you go to a four day week that also puts extra stress on teachers for children who need something like that,” (Holland).

While some families see potential convenience and benefits in a four-day week, others worry about its impact on teachers’ lesson plans and students who rely on a consistent schedule.