Kennett School District embraces four-day weeks to tackle educator shortages and boost retention

KENNETT, Mo. - In a 4-3 vote and despite passionate statements offered by a parent, the Kennett School Board Tuesday decided in favor of instituting four-day school weeks beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

The move makes Kennett School District No. 39 the 11th largest district in the state to adopt the controversial scheduling in efforts to hire qualified personnel and retain accredited educators.

Both School Board President Matt Shetley and Vice President Matthew Poole argued against the plan, and one parent, Trent Haggard called the shorter weeks "a race to the bottom," of educational opportunities for Kennett students.

However, overwhelming support for the plan among community members, parents, students and teachers within the district seemed to be the deciding factor that tipped the scales in favor of the four-day week.

Those against the idea were countered by South Elementary Principal Dr. Michelle McMullen, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Kennett Schools Andi Maddox and veteran educator Ward Billings, who retired from education in 2018 and has since returned to serve as vice principal at Kennett High School because of critical staff shortages.

In addition, about a dozen teachers attended in a show of solidarity regarding the positive aspects of the four-day week, all of whom favored the idea.

In other business, Kennett Schools Supt. Dr. Richie Leeker said the district's bank balance in December 2024 was $25,004,795, an increase of $1,841,226 from the December 2023 balance of $23,163,569.

The superintendent also noted:

The district received 38.1% of its budgeted revenue and expended 31.6% of its budgeted expenditures.

The district plans to make the full payment of $7,070,000 in March 2025 for the lease-purchase used to complete the Culinary Arts and FEMA buildings.

The December 2024 total enrollment for the district was 1,707 students. This is 61 students less than the December enrollment for 2023 of 1,768 students.

The average daily attendance for December 2024 was 1582. This is a decrease from the December 2023 average daily attendance of 1629. The overall attendance rate for the district was 93.26%.

December 2024 had 15 days of attendance with a 93.26% attendance rate, which is equal to 23,326 possible lunch and breakfast meals. That said, the district is being reimbursed for 17,861 lunches or 76.57%, and 23,867 breakfasts, or 100% of the total possible meals.

In December 2024, 15 days, the school district used 148 substitute teachers, compared to 153 subs in December 2023, 16 days.

The Board of Directors also:

Approved the 2025-2026 four-day school calendar.

Approved Umbrella Liability Coverage, $8,000,000 above MUSIC’s primary coverage for a cost to the district of $19,264.00 for 2025.

Authorized Mrs. Maddox to submit a 2025 Summer School Application to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Approved the district Social Worker, Mrs. Jane Cook, as the district’s Foster Care Liaison for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a requirement of MSBA policy.

Approved Aug. 2 - Aug. 10, 2025, as the summertime “dead period” for all MSHSAA-sponsored activities with the first possible practice date of August 11, 2025.

Approved the MSBA 2024D Policy updates.

Approved the district’s food service agreement with Opaa! Food Management, Inc. for the 2025-2026 school year.

In executive session the Board:

Approved the Superintendent of Schools employment contract.

Re-employed Nathan Baker as the Assistant Superintendent of Kennett Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Ward Billings, Kennett High School Assistant Principal, effective at the close of business on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Accepted the resignation letter from Vici Madden a Masterson Elementary Kindergarten teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Tresa Lamarr, a Masterson Elementary First Grade Teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Anna Siebenhuener, Masterson Elementary Special Education teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Chris Moore,Kennett High School Social Studies Teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Leigh Scales, Kennett High School and Kennett Middle School Spanish teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Paula Scherer, Masterson Elementary Tribe Academy Teacher, effective after the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Karen Davis, Kennett High School Math teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Accepted the resignation letter from Leah Barr, paraprofessional at South Elementary, effective Jan. 7, 2025.

Terminated Brandon Gibbons, second-grade teacher at Masterson Elementary School, effective January 21, 2025.

Employed Joel Wyatt, High School Fitness Teacher and High School Head Football Coach, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

Employed Jennifer Caneer, District School-Based Community Health Worker effective February 10, 2025.

The Kennett School District No. 39 Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month in the conference chambers at Kennett High School, 1400 W. Washington St., Kennett.

Public participation is encouraged.