Lee’s Summit R-7 School District announces new 3-day school week

On the heels of neighboring Independence School District’s wildly popular 4-day school week, LSR7 leaders announced Monday it would be taking the idea to the next level - a 3-day school week.

Superintendent Dr. David Birk said there’s no reason Lee’s Summit can’t best Independence on this idea.

“We’re a bigger district and, let’s face it … we’re Lee’s Summit. Three-day school weeks should be a piece of cake,” Dr. Birk said. “We’re not about to lose to Independence. What are they gonna do? Go to two days? That’s insane.”

The 3-day school week passed unanimously last Thursday at the monthly Board of Education meeting, with only minor discussions about its ramifications or academic consequences.

“We can pack a lot of learning into three days a week if we would just focus,” board member Mike Pate said. “I’ve seen these kids in the hall. They’re just walking around and talking. Add up all that time, keep ‘em there another hour, maybe start at 6 a.m. It’s easy.”

Dr. Birk said the district hadn’t yet decided on which three days would be selected as official “school days,” but that all seven are on the table.

“Look, we may go Monday, Wednesday, Friday,” Dr. Birk said. “But we’re keeping all options on the table. We could go Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Can you imagine giving parents basically a three-day weekend from their kids?”

In addition to the three-day week, the district announced all before- and after-school activities will now take place on Mondays between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.