New rules for 4-day school weeks draw pushback from some rural North Dakota schools

  • Shannon Faller, high school principal for Alexander Public Schools in northwest North Dakota, testifies at a hearing on new proposed rules for four-day school weeks on June 4, 2026 at the North Dakota Capitol. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)
    Shannon Faller, high school principal for Alexander Public Schools in northwest North Dakota, testifies at a hearing on new proposed rules for four-day school weeks on June 4, 2026 at the North Dakota Capitol. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

    The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is weighing new rules for four-day-a-week K-12 schools, but some educators say the proposed changes would unfairly burden rural schools.

    Under the four-day-a-week model, districts still must still meet the same requirements for minimum instruction time, so school days are longer. Districts that want to adopt the schedule must apply for approval from…