COLLINS, Iowa — Despite facing heavy criticism when initially introduced, the board officially confirmed the 4-day school week at Collins-Maxwell for the upcoming school year.

The 4-day week was introduced to Collins-Maxwell over a year ago but was tabled after receiving serious criticism. Parents worried about childcare, meals, and quality of education.

“Some of the people had concerns about childcare, what their kids are going to do on that day off, some programs are looking into stuff like that,” said Marc Snavely, Collins-Maxwell Superintendent. “So, kind of that aspect is finding ways to work with parents.”

Martensdale-St. Mary’s and Saydel made the move to the 4-day week last year and both schools were able to provide plans and recommendations to Collins-Maxwell.

“It was a learning curve for me to do a lot of research and to reach out to different schools, different superintendents, and to learn along with everybody else,” said Snavely.

 Dawn Pasquariello is a mom of 3 and Collins-Maxwell board member and hoped the school would be able to solve the problems to make it happen.

“The administration did a very good job of getting those answers and being able to put some plans in place for when, if and when we went to this four-day school,” said Pasquariello.

Pasquariello says this will hopefully attract more teachers to the district and allow them to have more time to get work done. She also hopes that some families are able to use and appreciate the extra day.

“I think it’s going to be beneficial for families to plan around that day off and to be able to, you know, work family time in work time in whatever that would bring,” Pasquariello said.

The Baxter Community School District also approved the 4-day school week during their board meeting. Both districts will begin their Tuesday through Friday schedules in the upcoming school year.