Rural school successes

New Mexico’s Legislature recently voted on a bipartisan basis to continue allowing our predominantly rural school districts to maintain four-day school weeks instead of five, so long as they meet the state’s overall requirements for classroom time. Our governor has indicated that, despite the Legislature, she may eliminate the four-day school week in New Mexico and put all schools on a five-day, 180-day schedule. We urge her not to do that. There are many benefits to four-day school weeks, particularly for our rural school districts. Data shows those benefits include decreased absences, more direct instruction, reduced student and staff burnout, enhanced retention of experienced staff, and eliminating one day of long commute times (often two to three hours per day) for students and educators who live remotely.

The four-day school week is an effective innovation for New Mexico’s rural schools that serve the families who grow the food and fiber New Mexico uses daily. We urge community members to send their stories about the benefits of a four-day school week in rural New Mexico schools to Public Education Department Secretary Arsenio Romero at Arsenio.Romero@state.nm.us. Please, inform the governor and the secretary about the importance of continuing the four-day school week in rural New Mexico schools.

Bronson A. Corn, president New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Roswell

Editor’s note: A spokeswoman for the governor said last week the 180-day rule remains under review, and no decisions have been made.