Following in the footsteps of its northern neighbors, Duchesne School District will implement a four-day school week for Tabiona Elementary and Tabiona High School.

The Utah State Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with Duchesne's request. The board's Law and Policy committee plans to draft an agreement of requirements for the district to be reviewed in January.

The plan is to cancel school on Fridays, lengthen the school day and have athletic events and other activities at times other than Monday through Thursday afternoon, so fewer students would miss class.

"We're willing to make that commitment," Tabiona Principal Robert Park said.

Other athletic teams in the 1A classification where Tabiona plays, such as those in Rich School District, are already on a four-day week or have agreed to a modified sports schedule, Park said.

Tabiona High has 76 students while the elementary school has 88, all in one building.

When students travel for athletics and other activities, there are few students left in class. "It decimates the secondary school," Duchesne Superintendent John Aland, adding that many elementary students also attend events to support siblings.

The school still needs to maintain the state-required 180 days and 990 hours. The school day is currently 8:20 a.m. to 3:01 p.m. and could extend to 4:10 p.m. There is also an option of lengthening the school year, Park said.

"We want to keep instructional time to a maximum," Aland said.

State School Board member Richard Sadler said when it comes to tracking the schools that are on a four-day schedule, it's important the board "hold their feet to the fire" in requiring academic excellence.

A benefit of the four-day program is eliminating one day of busing, good news to some students who travel 1.5 hours to and from school. The district is reimbursed travel funding so savings is a wash, Aland said.

The state board in September allowed Rich District to continue its four-day schedule for three additional years, with a report due at the end of the second year.

It also approved a four-day week for Boulder School, which is located in a remote area of Garfield County. The school will be allowed to do the program for two years with a review and report after the first year. There are 15 students at the school. One teacher travels 140 miles round trip.

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