Monett, Mo. – The Monett School District has entered an exploratory phase to redesign its academic calendar. District leaders are considering reducing the traditional 169‑day school year to 150 days while extending each school day by 18 minutes.
Why the change?
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Isaac Sooter explained that teachers have voiced concerns about student motivation and the need for more instructional time for intervention and enrichment. “Teachers talk about some common themes,” Sooter said. “They want increased student motivation, they want more time to intervene with students, more time for enrichment.”
May Pathways program
The additional minutes are intended to support a new “May Pathways” summer‑school session. The district plans to offer a “Cub Success Pathway” for students who do not meet academic criteria during the regular year, giving them a chance to catch up before the next grade. Students who meet the criteria could also opt into May enrichment courses.
May Pathways would provide targeted instruction, a custom curriculum, and extra pay for teachers who work the supplemental sessions.
Community response
Some families have expressed concerns about how the proposed schedule could affect work, transportation and child‑care. Matthew Guenard, a parent of a third‑grader at Monett Elementary, said the shift would require him to adjust his job schedule and find additional child‑care. “You’re putting a little more burden on the families,” Guenard said. “They have to figure out who’s going to watch the kid.”
Next steps
The school board is expected to vote on the proposal in January or February. No final decision has been made, and the district has created an online form for community members to submit questions and feedback.
District officials emphasize that the proposal is not about cutting school days but about providing more flexible learning opportunities for both students and staff. If adopted, the shorter year with longer days could reshape how Monett families plan their schedules and how teachers allocate instructional time.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
