Mexia ISD OKs 4-day school calendar

In a 5-2 vote during Tuesday night, Feb. 24, meeting, the Mexia Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a four-day instructional calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

The decision followed months of community surveys, committee recommendations, and discussions about balancing instructional time, staff retention and student needs.

The approved calendar, known as “Monday 2,” will feature 156 instructional days, 15 professional development days, and a three-week Christmas break. Staff will work 170 days, with 59 days off, including additional holidays. The calendar maintains the same number of instructional minutes as the current five-day schedule, addressing concerns about potential learning loss.

Bonnie Bomar, executive director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the final recommendation, highlighting the extensive feedback process that included surveys from staff, community members and secondary students in grades six through 11. According to the surveys, 80.6% of staff supported a four-day work week, while 56.3% of community members and 85.1% of secondary students favored the change. Among staff, 55% preferred a Monday off, and 50.2% of students agreed. Community members leaned slightly toward a Friday off, at 51%.

“We started with surveys, engaged the community and worked with our DAC and SHAC committees to narrow down the options,” Bomar said. “The goal is to retain and recruit quality educators while ensuring our students continue to receive excellent instruction.”

The board considered three calendar options: a traditional five-day week, a four-day week with Fridays off, and the approved “Monday 2” schedule. Bomar noted that neighboring districts, such as Whitney ISD and Blooming Grove ISD, have successfully implemented Monday-off calendars, with positive feedback from teachers and students.

Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Aaron Nowell addressed concerns about the impact on student athletes, particularly those traveling for games. “Football is the only sport significantly affected, and even then, it’s only a few periods missed on Fridays,” Nowell said. “We have plans in place to minimize disruptions.”

Board Secretary Ron Fowler questioned whether or not a Monday-off schedule would keep more students in class, to which Bomar responded that football is the primary activity affected on Fridays. She added that many districts with four-day weeks have chosen Mondays off, citing benefits like increased school spirit and participation in Friday activities.

Superintendent Ryder Appleton emphasized the flexibility of the calendar, noting that adjustments can be made for holidays, testing schedules, and playoff seasons. “We’ve built in flexibility to ensure we meet the needs of our students and staff,” Appleton said.

Board President Benjie Reed and Vice President Jackie Craig voted against the proposal, although Reed acknowledged the thoroughness of the process.

The approved calendar reflects a growing trend among school districts to adopt four-day weeks as a strategy for staff retention and student engagement. With the decision finalized, district officials will focus on implementing the new schedule and addressing any concerns from parents and staff.

For more information, the full FAQ document and calendar details are available on the district’s website.