Jerome School District adopts four-day week

The move comes two years after a teacher walkout over the five-day schedule

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired grid of stylized school books in shades of blue, green, and yellow, conceptually representing the shift to a four-day school week in the Jerome School District.The four-day school week adopted by the Jerome School District aims to attract and retain teachers in a competitive market.Jerome Today

The Jerome School District in Idaho will shift to a four-day school week starting in the 2027-28 school year, joining over 75 other districts in the state that have adopted the model. Superintendent Brent Johnson said the change will help the district recruit and retain teachers in a competitive market, noting that Jerome is in the 'vast minority' of districts in the Magic Valley region that still operate on a traditional five-day week.

Why it matters

The decision to move to a four-day week comes after a contentious 2024 walkout by dozens of Jerome teachers who protested the district's refusal to adopt the shorter schedule. The superintendent said there were 'deep wounds' in the community over the issue, and he needed time to listen to staff and parents before pushing for the change.

The details

The Jerome School Board voted 4-1 on Thursday to adopt the four-day week, which will take effect in the 2027-28 school year. This coming school year will serve as a 'bridge' with a few Fridays off, as the district works to get parents, businesses, and child care facilities adjusted to the new schedule. Superintendent Johnson said Fridays have seen the lowest attendance in Jerome schools over the past six years, indicating that families have other needs on that day of the week.

  • In 2024, dozens of Jerome teachers staged a walkout to protest the district's decision to stick with the five-day week.
  • Brent Johnson became superintendent in 2024, after former superintendent Pat Charlton retired.
  • Last summer, the district formed a committee to explore the idea of a four-day week.
  • The Jerome School Board voted 4-1 on Thursday to adopt the four-day week, effective in the 2027-28 school year.
  • This coming 2026-27 school year will serve as a 'bridge' with a few Fridays off, to help the community adjust to the new schedule.

The players

Brent Johnson

The superintendent of the Jerome School District, who said the four-day week will help the district recruit and retain teachers in a competitive market.

Pat Charlton

The former superintendent of the Jerome School District, who retired in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We need more teachers. I was trying to say it more, like, eloquently, but we need teachers.”

— Brent Johnson, Superintendent, Jerome School District

“As I landed in July (2024), people were letting me know that there were still a lot of hurt feelings. There was a lot of frustration and 'deep wounds' among staff and community members.”

— Brent Johnson, Superintendent, Jerome School District

What’s next

The district will use the 2026-27 school year as a transition period, with a few Fridays off, to help parents, businesses, and child care facilities adjust to the new four-day schedule before it is fully implemented in 2027-28.

The takeaway

The Jerome School District's decision to adopt a four-day week, after years of resistance and a contentious 2024 teacher walkout, highlights the growing trend of districts across Idaho seeking ways to attract and retain educators in a competitive market. The transition period will be crucial for the community to adapt to the new schedule.