Rural schools in Texas face an increasing number of challenges, including declining enrollment, staff retention, and community isolation. Near the top of this list is finding and retaining high quality educators; a challenge that Mullin ISD knows all too well.

“Exceptional student achievement will always be our primary focus,” says Mullin ISD superintendent Dr. Ronny Beard, “and recruiting and keeping the best teachers will allow us to reach that goal.”

After much discussion, the Mullin ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 4 day a week calendar for the 22-23 school year at a special board meeting on May 9, 2022. Understanding the need for such a paradigm shift is often difficult. Assistant superintendent Deanna Burt used the MISD vision statement, Maximizing Innovative Student Development, to help guide the discussion.

“Innovation in education involves solving a real problem in a new, simple way to promote equitable learning,” says Burt.

Mullin ISD has been a District of Innovation since 2017, which allows districts the flexibility to be creative in terms of schedules and calendars. According to research from the Center for Reinventing Public Education, 550 school districts in 25 states have a four day week. So while not a new concept, it has just recently grown in popularity in a growing number of rural Texas towns.

Upon talking to school leadership in area schools who have previously adopted four-day calendars, the consensus has been the same. Most have seen an increase in staff retention and student enrollment, a decrease in student and staff burnout, and an overall positive culture shift within the organization. Mullin hopes to follow suit.

A survey completed by the Mullin community resulted in 81% of the stakeholders in favor of the four day week. Those against it cited concerns regarding child care and loss of instructional time. To combat these concerns, Mullin ISD intends to offer enrichment activities on days off for those students in need of additional support as well as for PK – 6th grade students in need of child care.

While the school day will only increase by 30 minutes, the daily schedule has been restructured to maximize all instructional time. Additionally, one day a month will be used for targeted staff development opportunities for teachers, allowing ample time for horizontal and vertical alignment across the district.

“Mullin ISD has been a unique district doing innovative things for several years,” says Burt. “My hope is that by recruiting the best teachers and providing the best education possible for our students, Mullin ISD will continue to grow as a district that specializes in not only meeting students’ individual needs, but also providing opportunities for growth through unique educational experiences.”

For more information or to complete a transfer application, visit www.mullinisd.net.