United Way of Greater St. Joseph officials want to hear from the public about what is standing in the way of finding childcare options.  

St. Joseph is one of six communities in Missouri selected to complete a Childcare and Early Education Community Planning project survey.  

President Kylee Strough says the data from the survey will help paint the picture of the current state of childcare and early childhood education experiences. 

"From there we'll talk about what do we desire for the community and then how do we get there?" Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And we've got a team of stakeholders that are helping with this, so the next time they reconvene will be to look at all the data that has been gathered." 

Officials are seeking input in the survey from families that struggle to find childcare, employers, and childcare providers. 

Strough says with the study they're seeking a better understanding of what the problem is.  

"We hear over and over again that people have a hard time finding childcare, so we just need to understand a little bit deeper what does that mean when you have a hard time finding childcare," Strough explains. "Is it that there wasn't space available for your child, is it that you couldn't afford it, is it that the hours weren't right for you, what does that mean?" 

Strough says they often hear that there are lots of childcare facilities in St. Joseph, the problem comes in all of them being filled up. 

"So, if you call today and want to get your child enrolled in childcare, you may not be able to find a provider who actually has a space that they can accept your child," Strough points out. "What we don't see a lot of, is childcare providers raising their prices because they demand is so high, they can, we really see that childcare providers are trying to keep it as affordable as possible for families." 

Strough says they don't see any childcare providers taking advantage of the supply and demand issue to make it work in their favor, despite childcare being expensive by its very nature. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post United Way of Greater St. Joseph officials want to hear from the public about what is standing in the way of finding childcare options. St. Joseph is one of six communities in Missouri selected to complete a Childcare and Early Education Community Planning project survey. President Kylee Strough says the data from the survey will help paint the picture of the current state of childcare and early childhood education experiences. "From there we'll talk about what do we desire for the community and then how do we get there?" Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And we've got a team of stakeholders that are helping with this, so the next time they reconvene will be to look at all the data that has been gathered." Officials are seeking input in the survey from families that struggle to find childcare, employers, and childcare providers. Strough says with the study they're seeking a better understanding of what the problem is. "We hear over and over again that people have a hard time finding childcare, so we just need to understand a little bit deeper what does that mean when you have a hard time finding childcare," Strough explains. "Is it that there wasn't space available for your child, is it that you couldn't afford it, is it that the hours weren't right for you, what does that mean?" Strough says they often hear that there are lots of childcare facilities in St. Joseph, the problem comes in all of them being filled up. "So, if you call today and want to get your child enrolled in childcare, you may not be able to find a provider who actually has a space that they can accept your child," Strough points out. "What we don't see a lot of, is childcare providers raising their prices because they demand is so high, they can, we really see that childcare providers are trying to keep it as affordable as possible for families." Strough says they don't see any childcare providers taking advantage of the supply and demand issue to make it work in their favor, despite childcare being expensive by its very nature.

United Way seeking solution to chilcare shortage in St. Joseph

The USDA is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program to Monday, October 30. The agency wants to allow more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed weather-related disaster recovery assistance. 

The program compensates dairy producers who dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in 2020, 2021, and 2022 because of qualifying weather events. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of those weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads, and infrastructure losses. 

“We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk,” says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We know that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment and hope this MLP application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply for help.”

The USDA is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program to Monday, October 30. The agency wants to allow more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed weather-related disaster recovery assistance. The program compensates dairy producers who dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in 2020, 2021, and 2022 because of qualifying weather events. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of those weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads, and infrastructure losses. “We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk,” says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We know that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment and hope this MLP application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply for help.”- NAFB

USDA extends deadline for milk loss assistance program

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.

A 2013 Chevrolet Impala driven by Sirena Wahquahbashkuk of Horton was northbound on Kansas 20 highway and rear-ended a&nbsp;2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Tara Speer of Horton, who was turning north on&nbsp; U.S. 73, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Hiawatha Town and Country transported Wahquahbashkuk to Amberwell with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Both vehicles were totaled.&nbsp;  Everest First responders were immediately on the scene.  Iowa police assisted.&nbsp;Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.A 2013 Chevrolet Impala driven by Sirena Wahquahbashkuk of Horton was northbound on Kansas 20 highway and rear-ended a&nbsp;2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Tara Speer of Horton, who was turning north on&nbsp; U.S. 73, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Hiawatha Town and Country transported Wahquahbashkuk to Amberwell with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; Both vehicles were totaled.&nbsp; Everest First responders were immediately on the scene. Iowa police assisted.&nbsp;Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

One hospitalized after NE Kansas rear-end crash

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves expects the 139th
Airlift Wing, based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, to get
upgraded planes, eventually.

Graves says the announcement that the Air Force passed over
the 139th in favor of four other Air National Guard bases to receive
the new, C-130J is a disappointment, but not devastating.

Graves says the Rosecrans base scored well on the Air Force
inspection, but fell short primarily in its fuel capacity and ramp space for
the new cargo planes.

“In the short term, it’s going to take about a million and a
half dollars to get those things done to have preliminary C-130Js out there,”
Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Long term, it’s going to take about $54
million to do the big things that we need to do. So, we’re taking a good, hard
look at that.”

Graves says even at $54 million, the price tag isn’t out of
reach for the 139th. And Graves points out that would be enough to shore
up all its shortcomings.

“That is to make it the absolute perfect and get high marks in
everything,” according to Graves. “So, we’re not going to be able to achieve all
of that, but we are going to do what we can to try to fix some of the things
right away.”

Receiving the cargo plane upgrades, the latest C-130 model,
the C-130J Super Hercules, is seen as a necessary step to insure the long-term
viability of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing base at
Rosecrans.

Graves doesn’t perceive the air base is in jeopardy, primarily
because it houses the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. Graves even
speculates the 139th might be a victim of its own success as the
only center to train C-130H crews.

The Air Force has announced the next round of C-130J models
will go to Air Guard bases in Connecticut, Montana, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Graves shrugs off the deficiencies found in the Air Force evaluation
of the Air Guard base at Rosecrans.

“You’re not going to get perfect marks on everything,” Graves
says. “Every place that was evaluated, they had deficiencies as well in other
areas. But this new runway is a huge positive that’s being installed out there.
This new runway is a huge plus for the base. And then, the work that we’re
doing to move the base to the north end, where it’s higher and out of the flood
plain, that’s a huge positive for us as well.”

Rosecrans Memorial Airport has been undergoing an overhaul
with a new main runway, a new terminal, and a new air traffic control tower all
expected to soon be built there.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698176352554.jpeg" alt="C-130H cargo planes at the 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph/file photo" />
 <figcaption>C-130H cargo planes at the 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves expects the 139th
Airlift Wing, based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, to get
upgraded planes, eventually.Graves says the announcement that the Air Force passed over
the 139th in favor of four other Air National Guard bases to receive
the new, C-130J is a disappointment, but not devastating.Graves says the Rosecrans base scored well on the Air Force
inspection, but fell short primarily in its fuel capacity and ramp space for
the new cargo planes.“In the short term, it’s going to take about a million and a
half dollars to get those things done to have preliminary C-130Js out there,”
Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Long term, it’s going to take about $54
million to do the big things that we need to do. So, we’re taking a good, hard
look at that.”Graves says even at $54 million, the price tag isn’t out of
reach for the 139th. And Graves points out that would be enough to shore
up all its shortcomings.“That is to make it the absolute perfect and get high marks in
everything,” according to Graves. “So, we’re not going to be able to achieve all
of that, but we are going to do what we can to try to fix some of the things
right away.”Receiving the cargo plane upgrades, the latest C-130 model,
the C-130J Super Hercules, is seen as a necessary step to insure the long-term
viability of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing base at
Rosecrans.Graves doesn’t perceive the air base is in jeopardy, primarily
because it houses the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. Graves even
speculates the 139th might be a victim of its own success as the
only center to train C-130H crews.The Air Force has announced the next round of C-130J models
will go to Air Guard bases in Connecticut, Montana, Minnesota, and Illinois.Graves shrugs off the deficiencies found in the Air Force evaluation
of the Air Guard base at Rosecrans.“You’re not going to get perfect marks on everything,” Graves
says. “Every place that was evaluated, they had deficiencies as well in other
areas. But this new runway is a huge positive that’s being installed out there.
This new runway is a huge plus for the base. And then, the work that we’re
doing to move the base to the north end, where it’s higher and out of the flood
plain, that’s a huge positive for us as well.”Rosecrans Memorial Airport has been undergoing an overhaul
with a new main runway, a new terminal, and a new air traffic control tower all
expected to soon be built there.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sam-Graves-still-thinks-the-139th-will-get-new-planes-e2b0q59" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Graves says not getting new planes a blow, not devastating to 139th Airlift Wing

A St. Joseph teenager faces a murder charge, accused of
shooting to death another teenager in June.

A second-degree murder charge has been filed against
17-year-old Kaden Wilfong in the death of 15-year-old Carter Smith of St.
Joseph.

St. Joseph police found Smith dead near the REC Center at 28th
and Commercial Streets during the early morning hours of June 15th.

Officers began to suspect Wilfong after obtaining video from
the scene and downloading information from Smith’s phone. A search of Wilfong’s
home recovered several guns, bloody clothes, and a bloody bag. A witness
identified Wilfong as involved in the shooting.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph teenager faces a murder charge, accused of
shooting to death another teenager in June.A second-degree murder charge has been filed against
17-year-old Kaden Wilfong in the death of 15-year-old Carter Smith of St.
Joseph.St. Joseph police found Smith dead near the REC Center at 28th
and Commercial Streets during the early morning hours of June 15th.Officers began to suspect Wilfong after obtaining video from
the scene and downloading information from Smith’s phone. A search of Wilfong’s
home recovered several guns, bloody clothes, and a bloody bag. A witness
identified Wilfong as involved in the shooting.

St. Joseph teen faces murder charge in shooting death of another teen

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner driven by Earl L. Miller, 58, Clinton, Iowa, was southbound on Interstate&nbsp; 35 one mile north of Holt.

The vehicle brakes locked. The semi slid off the&nbsp; west side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned down an embankment

&nbsp;EMS transported Miller and a passenger Vickie L. Miller, 65, Clinton, Iowa, to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner driven by Earl L. Miller, 58, Clinton, Iowa, was southbound on Interstate&nbsp; 35 one mile north of Holt.The vehicle brakes locked. The semi slid off the&nbsp; west side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned down an embankment&nbsp;EMS transported Miller and a passenger Vickie L. Miller, 65, Clinton, Iowa, to Liberty Hospital. They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after semi overturns down embankment

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Monday in Holt County.

The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Peterbilt semi driven by Joshua M. Asher, 44, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate one mile south of Corning.

The front passenger tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, traveled down an embankment and into a field.

Atchison-Holt EMS transported Asher to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Monday in Holt County.The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Peterbilt semi driven by Joshua M. Asher, 44, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate one mile south of Corning.The front passenger tire blew. The semi traveled off the east side of the road, traveled down an embankment and into a field.Atchison-Holt EMS transported Asher to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

St. Joseph man injured in crash after semi's tire blows

The eighth annual Coffee for a Cure set another record year bringing in just over $18,000 in sales and tips at The Human Bean in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

The Human Bean took in $18,129.57 during the event on Friday October 20th, which is a more than $7,500 increase from last year's event.&nbsp; With a match from the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary the grand total for Coffee for a Cure is 36,259.14 which benefits the Mosiac Life Care Auxiliary Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.&nbsp;

In 2022, CFAC generated $21,051.88.&nbsp;

Coffee for a Cure happens every October. Nationwide, The Human Bean of St. Joseph has raised $2.6 million in the past 16 years to benefit breast cancer causes in local communities like ours. The money raised at The Human Bean in St. Joseph stays in the region.&nbsp;

Over the past seven years, The Human Bean has donated about $55,000, and the Auxiliary has matched that, for a total of almost $110,000.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe eighth annual Coffee for a Cure set another record year bringing in just over $18,000 in sales and tips at The Human Bean in St. Joseph.&nbsp;The Human Bean took in $18,129.57 during the event on Friday October 20th, which is a more than $7,500 increase from last year's event.&nbsp; With a match from the Mosaic Life Care Auxiliary the grand total for Coffee for a Cure is 36,259.14 which benefits the Mosiac Life Care Auxiliary Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.&nbsp;In 2022, CFAC generated $21,051.88.&nbsp;Coffee for a Cure happens every October. Nationwide, The Human Bean of St. Joseph has raised $2.6 million in the past 16 years to benefit breast cancer causes in local communities like ours. The money raised at The Human Bean in St. Joseph stays in the region.&nbsp;Over the past seven years, The Human Bean has donated about $55,000, and the Auxiliary has matched that, for a total of almost $110,000.&nbsp;

Coffee for a Cure event records another record breaking year

St. Joseph is home to one of the only registered horse hospices in the entire state of Missouri.  

Sharon Bryant with the Albee Farm says the hospice is different from most horse rescues, which normally take in horses and rehabilitate them.  

Bryant says at The Albee Farm they take in disabled and chronically ill horses looking for ways to treat various diseases 

"We put them on clinical trials with some universities that we have a very good relationship with to help develop data and research on those diseases so that we can help not only the horses that are in our care but also horses around the world and around the country so that they will have the medicines they need should they develop these conditions later on in life," Bryant tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. 

The hospice offers several interactive clinics and workshops to also teach people about horses. 

Bryant says the clinical trials conducted provide data for horses all across the country that develop these diseases.  

Most of the diseases that we have clinical trials for, anything from osteoarthritis, which is very common to navicular disease, lymphoma, all kinds of things like that," Bryant explains. "So, even though the horses may not last very long, the research lasts forever, so the research is primarily what our mission is, is to get that research." 

Bryant says the hospice is different from a horse rescue in that they don't go look for horses but rather they take in horses from people looking to get rid of them.  

Bryant says on top of all the normal farm chores the clinical trials are a lot of work 

"We have to take vitals usually four to six times a day, we have to administer the drug, it has to be gender specific, it has to be breed specific, it could have a different effect on an Arabian Mare under the age of five than a Thoroughbred Gelding over the age of 20, so they're very specific and we have to keep those records," Bryant says. 

Bryant says they then upload and download all this data to keep track of the trial and how things are working.  

The farm relies on area businesses and donations to continue running and treating these horses. You can learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://thealbeefarm.com/">theAlbeefarm.com</a>.

A major fundraiser for the farm will be coming up on November 11th as they will host a father daughter dance at the Stoney Creek Inn.  Tickets can be purchased online. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph is home to one of the only registered horse hospices in the entire state of Missouri. Sharon Bryant with the Albee Farm says the hospice is different from most horse rescues, which normally take in horses and rehabilitate them. Bryant says at The Albee Farm they take in disabled and chronically ill horses looking for ways to treat various diseases "We put them on clinical trials with some universities that we have a very good relationship with to help develop data and research on those diseases so that we can help not only the horses that are in our care but also horses around the world and around the country so that they will have the medicines they need should they develop these conditions later on in life," Bryant tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. The hospice offers several interactive clinics and workshops to also teach people about horses. Bryant says the clinical trials conducted provide data for horses all across the country that develop these diseases. Most of the diseases that we have clinical trials for, anything from osteoarthritis, which is very common to navicular disease, lymphoma, all kinds of things like that," Bryant explains. "So, even though the horses may not last very long, the research lasts forever, so the research is primarily what our mission is, is to get that research." Bryant says the hospice is different from a horse rescue in that they don't go look for horses but rather they take in horses from people looking to get rid of them. Bryant says on top of all the normal farm chores the clinical trials are a lot of work "We have to take vitals usually four to six times a day, we have to administer the drug, it has to be gender specific, it has to be breed specific, it could have a different effect on an Arabian Mare under the age of five than a Thoroughbred Gelding over the age of 20, so they're very specific and we have to keep those records," Bryant says. Bryant says they then upload and download all this data to keep track of the trial and how things are working. The farm relies on area businesses and donations to continue running and treating these horses. You can learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://thealbeefarm.com/">theAlbeefarm.com</a>. A major fundraiser for the farm will be coming up on November 11th as they will host a father daughter dance at the Stoney Creek Inn. Tickets can be purchased online.

One of Missouri's only horse hospices is right here in St. Joseph helping horse across the world

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two accidents that sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital.

Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;2015 Chrysler 300&nbsp; driven by Reuben Torres, 22, St. Joseph, was southbound&nbsp;in the 1300 block&nbsp; ofUnity, at the K-7 curve, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Due to speed the vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and struck the guardrail, went air borne, traveled down a hill and landed on its side in a wooded area. 

EMS transported Torres to Amberwell Hospital and he was later transported by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital, according to Wilson.

The accident remains under investigation. Police also investigated an accident involving the same vehicle and driver that occurred in the area of Royal Road and Cardinal Circle where a cable box and a mailbox were struck. This hit and run accident occurred just prior to the K-7 and Unity accident and also remains under investigation.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two accidents that sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital.Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, a&nbsp;2015 Chrysler 300&nbsp; driven by Reuben Torres, 22, St. Joseph, was southbound&nbsp;in the 1300 block&nbsp; ofUnity, at the K-7 curve, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Due to speed the vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and struck the guardrail, went air borne, traveled down a hill and landed on its side in a wooded area. EMS transported Torres to Amberwell Hospital and he was later transported by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital, according to Wilson.The accident remains under investigation. Police also investigated an accident involving the same vehicle and driver that occurred in the area of Royal Road and Cardinal Circle where a cable box and a mailbox were struck. This hit and run accident occurred just prior to the K-7 and Unity accident and also remains under investigation.

Police: St. Joseph man airlifted to hospital after 2 accidents

North Central Missouri College has expanded well beyond its
Trenton campus with agreements stretching from St. Joseph to Maryville,
including an investment in Savannah.

North Central President Lenny Klaver says the expansion has
helped the college grow and better serve its 17-county region in north-central
and northwest Missouri.

Klaver sees great potential in the Savannah campus, which
recently opened.

“There are already questions over there whether we are going
to add more to that facility, which I think we will eventually in terms of more
general classroom space,” Klaver tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Right now, the
campus is pretty much a few general education courses, but mainly our nursing which
is our very strong program.”

Savannah also is offering classes in high-skilled
manufacturing that offer the potential of employment immediately upon
completion.

North Central has partnered with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
Campus. It also has signed agreements with Northwest Missouri State University to
ease the transfer of students to the Maryville campus.

Klaver says the Convergent Technology Alliance Center is
designed to train students for the high-skilled manufacturing jobs in such high
demand today.

“So, what we try to do as a community college is to be nimble
and flexible, listen to market trends, and talk to our partners in industry and
education on how we can meet those needs,” Klaver says.

North Central had an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students when Klaver arrived about seven years ago and was given the task to increase enrollment. It now stands just short of 1,850 with 240 at its new Savannah branch. North Central's nursing program, once split between Bethany and Maryville, has been consolidated in Maryville. North Central operates on a $14.5 million annual budget.

North Central isn’t just a training ground for high-skilled
labor. It continues to provide the general studies needed to prepare for a
four-year degree.

“So, it’s important that we serve both,” Klaver says. “We’re
blessed to have two universities in the area that we’ve worked with very well
and we just hope to continue to meet those needs and to keep our ear to the
ground to see what the market trends are and how we can meet those.”

In addition to the agreements signed with Northwest, North
Central has similar agreements with Missouri Western to smooth the transition
from the two-year school to the four-year institution.

This article has been updated since first published.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079440232.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Trenton campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Trenton campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorth Central Missouri College has expanded well beyond its
Trenton campus with agreements stretching from St. Joseph to Maryville,
including an investment in Savannah.North Central President Lenny Klaver says the expansion has
helped the college grow and better serve its 17-county region in north-central
and northwest Missouri.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079509562.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>Klaver sees great potential in the Savannah campus, which
recently opened.“There are already questions over there whether we are going
to add more to that facility, which I think we will eventually in terms of more
general classroom space,” Klaver tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Right now, the
campus is pretty much a few general education courses, but mainly our nursing which
is our very strong program.”Savannah also is offering classes in high-skilled
manufacturing that offer the potential of employment immediately upon
completion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698079565185.jpeg" alt="North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College" />
 <figcaption>North Central Missouri College - Savannah campus/Photo courtesy of North Central Missouri College</figcaption>
 </figure>North Central has partnered with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
Campus. It also has signed agreements with Northwest Missouri State University to
ease the transfer of students to the Maryville campus.Klaver says the Convergent Technology Alliance Center is
designed to train students for the high-skilled manufacturing jobs in such high
demand today.“So, what we try to do as a community college is to be nimble
and flexible, listen to market trends, and talk to our partners in industry and
education on how we can meet those needs,” Klaver says.North Central had an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students when Klaver arrived about seven years ago and was given the task to increase enrollment. It now stands just short of 1,850 with 240 at its new Savannah branch. North Central's nursing program, once split between Bethany and Maryville, has been consolidated in Maryville. North Central operates on a $14.5 million annual budget.North Central isn’t just a training ground for high-skilled
labor. It continues to provide the general studies needed to prepare for a
four-year degree.“So, it’s important that we serve both,” Klaver says. “We’re
blessed to have two universities in the area that we’ve worked with very well
and we just hope to continue to meet those needs and to keep our ear to the
ground to see what the market trends are and how we can meet those.”In addition to the agreements signed with Northwest, North
Central has similar agreements with Missouri Western to smooth the transition
from the two-year school to the four-year institution.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/NCMC-Continues-to-Grow-e2auus2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>This article has been updated since first published.

North Central Missouri extends reach far beyond Trenton campus

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before&nbsp; 12:30p.m.&nbsp; Saturday in Atchison.

 A 2016 GMC Yukon driven by Bailee White, 23, Atchison, was southbound on 7th Street at Commercial Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The&nbsp; SUV struck a pedestrian, Jill Heffley, 47, Atchison, as she was walking in the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection.

EMS transported Heffley to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. Bailee White was cited with failure to yield at a pedestrian crosswalk.

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before&nbsp; 12:30p.m.&nbsp; Saturday in Atchison. A 2016 GMC Yukon driven by Bailee White, 23, Atchison, was southbound on 7th Street at Commercial Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The&nbsp; SUV struck a pedestrian, Jill Heffley, 47, Atchison, as she was walking in the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection.EMS transported Heffley to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. Bailee White was cited with failure to yield at a pedestrian crosswalk.

Police: Kansas woman in crosswalk struck by SUV 

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by Nellie V. Hughes, 84, Kidder, was eastbound on Old U.S. 36. The pickup traveled off the road, struck a utility sign and a tree.

Andrew County EMS transported Hughes to Liberty Hospital. The MSHP did not have seat belt usage details.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by Nellie V. Hughes, 84, Kidder, was eastbound on Old U.S. 36. The pickup traveled off the road, struck a utility sign and a tree.Andrew County EMS transported Hughes to Liberty Hospital. The MSHP did not have seat belt usage details.

Missouri man injured after pickup strikes a tree

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Sunday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Brent L. Fletchall, 59, Savannah, was eastbound on Route E four miles east of Savannah.&nbsp;

The driver failed to stop for a stop sign. The SUV crossed Route D, traveled off the east side of the of the road, struck an embankment and a traffic sign.

Andrew County EMS transported Fletchall to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Sunday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Brent L. Fletchall, 59, Savannah, was eastbound on Route E four miles east of Savannah.&nbsp;The driver failed to stop for a stop sign. The SUV crossed Route D, traveled off the east side of the of the road, struck an embankment and a traffic sign.Andrew County EMS transported Fletchall to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.=

Missouri man injured after SUV strikes traffic sign

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Polaris Razor 1000 driven by James R. Adams, 39, Hale, was westbound on Livingston 306 two and one half miles north of Avalon.

The UTV traveled off the right side of the road as it approached a bridge. The vehicle became airborne, struck an embankment on the other side of the creek bed and came to rest facing east in the creek.

Lifeflight Eagle transported Adams to Research Medical Center and a passenger identified as Dena N. Wright 34, Carrollton, to Truman Medical Center. Chillicothe EMS transported a second passenger Lindsay E. Adams, 35, Hale, to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp;

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Polaris Razor 1000 driven by James R. Adams, 39, Hale, was westbound on Livingston 306 two and one half miles north of Avalon.The UTV traveled off the right side of the road as it approached a bridge. The vehicle became airborne, struck an embankment on the other side of the creek bed and came to rest facing east in the creek.Lifeflight Eagle transported Adams to Research Medical Center and a passenger identified as Dena N. Wright 34, Carrollton, to Truman Medical Center. Chillicothe EMS transported a second passenger Lindsay E. Adams, 35, Hale, to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp;

2 air-lifted to hospital after UTV lands in creek

DONIPHAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Doniphan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Andrew C. Trump, 25, Elwood, was northbound at 800 Monument Road in Wathena.

The motorcycle left the roadway to the right. EMS transported Trump to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

DONIPHAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Saturday in Doniphan County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Andrew C. Trump, 25, Elwood, was northbound at 800 Monument Road in Wathena.The motorcycle left the roadway to the right. EMS transported Trump to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kan. man hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle accident

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Hunter W. Tunnell, 23, Tarkio, was northbound on Highway 0 one mile east of Tarkio.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It rolled and the driver was ejected. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Tunnell to Fairfax Community Hospital.

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Hunter W. Tunnell, 23, Tarkio, was northbound on Highway 0 one mile east of Tarkio.The driver lost control of the vehicle. It rolled and the driver was ejected. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Tunnell to Fairfax Community Hospital.

NW Missouri man hospitalized after ejected in rollover crash

NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pedestrian accident that occurred just before 8p.m. Friday in. Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1978 GMC pickup driven by Edward E. Giggar, 74, Conception Junction, was southbound on MO 46 in Ravenwood.

The pickup struck a 2017 Ram pickup that was stationary facing northound with headlights on.&nbsp; After impact, the GMC pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Christopher L. Baldwin, 53, Ravenwood, and came to rest on top of a mailbox.

EMS checked Baldwin at the scene. Giggar was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pedestrian accident that occurred just before 8p.m. Friday in. Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1978 GMC pickup driven by Edward E. Giggar, 74, Conception Junction, was southbound on MO 46 in Ravenwood.The pickup struck a 2017 Ram pickup that was stationary facing northound with headlights on.&nbsp; After impact, the GMC pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Christopher L. Baldwin, 53, Ravenwood, and came to rest on top of a mailbox.EMS checked Baldwin at the scene. Giggar was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Pickup struck pedestrian, came to rest on top of mailbox

DEKALB COUNTY -One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Fridayin DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Harley Street Glide driven by John A. Klawuhn, 41, Union Star, turned southbound from 97th Street onto U.S. 169.

The driver lost control when the motorcycle struck loose gravel. The vehicle overturned.&nbsp;

Grand River ambulance transported Klawuhn to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY -One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Fridayin DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Harley Street Glide driven by John A. Klawuhn, 41, Union Star, turned southbound from 97th Street onto U.S. 169.The driver lost control when the motorcycle struck loose gravel. The vehicle overturned.&nbsp;Grand River ambulance transported Klawuhn to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle overturns

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on new allegations after an arrest.

On Wednesday, police arrested 36-year-old Melissa I. Ross of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

Ross is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. She was arrested on similar allegations in 2018 and again in 2019, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697751156478.png" alt="Ross-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Ross-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on new allegations after an arrest.On Wednesday, police arrested 36-year-old Melissa I. Ross of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;Ross is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. She was arrested on similar allegations in 2018 and again in 2019, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman continues to skip court

The Kiwanis Club in St. Joseph along with the Ali Kemp Foundation are helping women of all ages be prepared to protect themselves against the worst.  

Club member Bobbie Cronk says the classes through the foundation were a response from the family of Ali Kemp, a woman from Kansas City who was murdered. 

Cronk says the classes teaches ways to defend yourself when needed and general awareness 

"It's just a really simple way to gain awareness about how to keep yourself safe and how to stay safe if you're ever in that unfortunate situation where you have to defend yourself," Cronk tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Cronk says the classes are open to both women and girls 

"Really anywhere from 13 years old all the way up to really 100, we actually have someone who is in their 80's that signed up to be with us Saturday morning," Cronk says. 

Cronk says one of the important factors the class stresses for younger girls is the importance of listening to your parents and letting them know where you'll be 

"Something as simple as making sure that your parents know you're going to be at Suzy's house and then following up on that and actually being at that place," Cronk explains. "So, a lot of it relates to anyone but she does focus as well on the younger participants." 

Cronk says the reception for the classes has been great every year, which is why the club continues to provide them 

"It's something where people are interested in learning the information and she covers a broad range of information about how to keep yourself safe as well as how to defend yourself," Cronk says. "So, there's some physical defense involved but a lot of it is something you can kind of do at your own level and your own pace, and it's just some good things to be aware of." 

The class will take place from 10am to noon with doors opening at 9:30am at the Brookdale Student Ministry building in St. Joseph at 3501 Felix Street. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Kiwanis Club in St. Joseph along with the Ali Kemp Foundation are helping women of all ages be prepared to protect themselves against the worst. Club member Bobbie Cronk says the classes through the foundation were a response from the family of Ali Kemp, a woman from Kansas City who was murdered. Cronk says the classes teaches ways to defend yourself when needed and general awareness "It's just a really simple way to gain awareness about how to keep yourself safe and how to stay safe if you're ever in that unfortunate situation where you have to defend yourself," Cronk tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Cronk says the classes are open to both women and girls "Really anywhere from 13 years old all the way up to really 100, we actually have someone who is in their 80's that signed up to be with us Saturday morning," Cronk says. Cronk says one of the important factors the class stresses for younger girls is the importance of listening to your parents and letting them know where you'll be "Something as simple as making sure that your parents know you're going to be at Suzy's house and then following up on that and actually being at that place," Cronk explains. "So, a lot of it relates to anyone but she does focus as well on the younger participants." Cronk says the reception for the classes has been great every year, which is why the club continues to provide them "It's something where people are interested in learning the information and she covers a broad range of information about how to keep yourself safe as well as how to defend yourself," Cronk says. "So, there's some physical defense involved but a lot of it is something you can kind of do at your own level and your own pace, and it's just some good things to be aware of." The class will take place from 10am to noon with doors opening at 9:30am at the Brookdale Student Ministry building in St. Joseph at 3501 Felix Street.

Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph teaching women how to protect themselves 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/micahbarnes/">MICAH BARNES</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/katecassady/">KATE CASSADY</a>

Until eighth grade, Carter Bremer went to school on a standard five-day schedule. After moving to Harrisburg, he stopped going to class on Mondays.

Now a senior at Harrisburg High School, Carter has spent just four days a week in school for the past five years, giving him more time to spend on sports, a job and college-level classes.

“I have more free time to do more activities,” he said. “It definitely helps with that extra day to do schoolwork and get ahead on the next week.

The 2024 graduating class has never spent Mondays in the classroom. Since the 2011-2012 school year, the Harrisburg School District has operated with four-day weeks.

Harrisburg was among the first districts in Missouri to drop classes once a week, but this year, at least 160 public school districts are running four-day weeks, accounting for about 30% of the 581 school districts statewide.

The trend is more prevalent in rural districts, where fewer teachers and students make four-day weeks less complicated to arrange. But the tide may be turning.

In September, the Independence School District with nearly 14,000 students shifted to four-day weeks to combat a persistent teacher shortage. It became the largest school system in the state to make the switch.

Of the roughly 160 school districts that have shifted, only two have reverted to the five-day model. The Lutie R-IV School District south of Columbia switched in 2023 after three years and the Lexington School District in 2014 after two, both citing little academic improvement and limited financial return.

In Boone County, three of the six districts have adopted four-day weeks — Harrisburg, Hallsville and Sturgeon — and Centralia has a late start on Mondays. So far, the remaining two — Columbia Public Schools with more than 19,000 students and Southern Boone School District with about 2,000 — have indicated little interest in altering the school week.

Nationwide, an estimated 1,600 schools in 24 states have adopted a four-day school week, according to the most recent estimate from the Four-Day School Week policy research team at Oregon State University. Not every state has mandated reporting, however, so the numbers may be incomplete.

The shifts to four-day weeks are attributed primarily to persistent teacher shortages and complaints about salaries. Studies have shown that teacher morale improves when the work week gets shorter, as do recruitment and retention.Parents also play a significant role in the success of any change, with some eager to have the flexibility, while others are anxious about arranging child care to cover an additional day.

A Rand Corp. study published in August surveyed parents, students and teachers and found that the four-day week had the most positive impact on family relationships and overall school satisfaction.

Student attendance improved slightly, but the difference was not statistically meaningful, and younger students reported getting more sleep, but middle and high school students did not.

According to the survey, four-day school districts were able to cut some costs by not operating on Fridays or Mondays, but the savings amounted to only a few percentage points in the annual budget.

Another study, conducted by the Center for School and Student Progress, found that fighting and assaults dropped by .79 incidents per 100 students, or 31%, after schools moved to a four-day week. Some of it was mechanical — students spending less time in school — but the study concluded that it didn’t account for all of it.

Jon Turner, associate professor of special education, leadership and professional studies at Missouri State University, has conducted research to assess the growing trend in Missouri.

He traveled to 60 of 61 school districts that had a four-day week during the 2019-2020 school year, interviewing superintendents, principals, parents, teachers and students.

Turner found that parental support for four-day school weeks ranged from 70% to 80%. He said serious pushback from parents would likely have resulted in fewer school districts adopting the four-day week.

“If there is a negative reaction to the four-day week,” Turner said, “there’s a direct channel to school board members.”

Emily Goyea-Furlong, head of the Parent-Teacher Organization in Harrisburg, said she likes using Saturdays and Sundays as true days off with her family. Instead of treating Monday as another weekend day, Goyea-Furlong said she uses the time to schedule appointments on her family’s to-do list.

“We spend Mondays doing doctors’ appointments, vision appointments or those appointments you pull your kids out of school for on a regular five-day school week,” she said. “Then they don’t have to miss school during the week.”

Another Harrisburg parent, Dana Byrd, has a flexible work schedule and can spend Mondays with her fifth grader. But she said she knows day care facilities in Harrisburg are crowded on Mondays, and some parents have to commute to Columbia for child care.

“Day care gets to be a bit of a challenge for some families with younger kids,” Byrd said.

In Independence, the school district began offering its own child care for $30 a day, but that still could be a stretch for some families.

School districts in Missouri have the freedom to structure their calendar in a variety of ways. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, districts in Missouri can be flexible, as long as first through 12th grades maintain 1,044 instructional hours during the school year.

The Harrisburg School District operates on a Tuesday-through-Friday schedule from 7:54 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

“We did it back in 2011, 2012, when we were really struggling financially, like a lot of other schools were,” high school principal Kyle Fisher said. “We did it as a way to try and save money on transportation costs and hourly staff and utilities costs and things like that.”

The four-day week has been popular with teachers in Harrisburg who say they can use Monday as a planning day to map out the rest of the week. Some schools also schedule professional development activities for teachers on select Mondays.

Harrisburg teacher Jennie Simpson said the extra day gives her more time to develop hands-on, engaging lessons for students.

“It gives you the feel of having a full weekend,” Simpson said. “I think it decreases teacher burnout because you feel like you have more time to be prepared.”

According to Turner, making the switch is almost always about money. School districts may be able to save $50,000 or more on transportation, custodial work, cafeteria set-up and other expenses.

“That ($50,000) may sound trivial,” Turner said. “But if you’re in a tiny little school district that only has nine or 10 teachers, saving $50,000 is one teacher’s salary.”

Salaries, especially in smaller, rural districts, influence teacher retention. New teachers typically start their careers in smaller districts after college, Turner said, eventually leaving those positions for a better salary in larger cities.

“They’re always looking for a job at Jefferson City or Columbia because the salaries are so much higher, and that happens all across the state,” Turner said. “You can travel 20, 30 miles outside Jefferson City and Columbia, and teachers with the same experience and same education can be making $15,000 or $20,000 less.”

Dale Herl, superintendent of the Independence School District, said he has seen a significant increase in teacher applications since the four-day policy was announced this summer.

“The number of our teacher applications increased by more than fourfold,” Herl said. “We are fully staffed with teachers here in the Independence School District, and it’s been a number of years since we’ve been able to say that.”

In Harrisburg, Fisher said he has also noticed improvements in teacher recruitment and retention, particularly among high-quality teachers and staff.

“The four-day school week was very attractive to a lot of teachers,” he said. “I think it allowed us to get a lot of high quality teachers for the district and keep a lot of high quality teachers in the district.”

Turner said teacher retention, primarily driven by inequity in salaries, is a driver of shift to the four-day school week. Until that is solved, Turner believes the four-day week policy will continue to gain traction in Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697810019728.png" alt=" Lina Goyea, 11, stands in the doorway while Emmett Furlong, 4, plays with a toy on Oct. 9 in Sturgeon. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” Emily Goyea-Furlong said on the four-day school week as she puts clothes on Ruby Furlong, 16 months. “It’s a tight knit community, and there’s accommodations for people who need child care” (Kate Cassady/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Lina Goyea, 11, stands in the doorway while Emmett Furlong, 4, plays with a toy on Oct. 9 in Sturgeon. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything,” Emily Goyea-Furlong said on the four-day school week as she puts clothes on Ruby Furlong, 16 months. “It’s a tight knit community, and there’s accommodations for people who need child care” (Kate Cassady/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/micahbarnes/">MICAH BARNES</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/katecassady/">KATE CASSADY</a>Until eighth grade, Carter Bremer went to school on a standard five-day schedule. After moving to Harrisburg, he stopped going to class on Mondays.Now a senior at Harrisburg High School, Carter has spent just four days a week in school for the past five years, giving him more time to spend on sports, a job and college-level classes.“I have more free time to do more activities,” he said. “It definitely helps with that extra day to do schoolwork and get ahead on the next week.The 2024 graduating class has never spent Mondays in the classroom. Since the 2011-2012 school year, the Harrisburg School District has operated with four-day weeks.Harrisburg was among the first districts in Missouri to drop classes once a week, but this year, at least 160 public school districts are running four-day weeks, accounting for about 30% of the 581 school districts statewide.The trend is more prevalent in rural districts, where fewer teachers and students make four-day weeks less complicated to arrange. But the tide may be turning.In September, the Independence School District with nearly 14,000 students shifted to four-day weeks to combat a persistent teacher shortage. It became the largest school system in the state to make the switch.Of the roughly 160 school districts that have shifted, only two have reverted to the five-day model. The Lutie R-IV School District south of Columbia switched in 2023 after three years and the Lexington School District in 2014 after two, both citing little academic improvement and limited financial return.In Boone County, three of the six districts have adopted four-day weeks — Harrisburg, Hallsville and Sturgeon — and Centralia has a late start on Mondays. So far, the remaining two — Columbia Public Schools with more than 19,000 students and Southern Boone School District with about 2,000 — have indicated little interest in altering the school week.Nationwide, an estimated 1,600 schools in 24 states have adopted a four-day school week, according to the most recent estimate from the Four-Day School Week policy research team at Oregon State University. Not every state has mandated reporting, however, so the numbers may be incomplete.<h2>What the research shows</h2>The shifts to four-day weeks are attributed primarily to persistent teacher shortages and complaints about salaries. Studies have shown that teacher morale improves when the work week gets shorter, as do recruitment and retention.Parents also play a significant role in the success of any change, with some eager to have the flexibility, while others are anxious about arranging child care to cover an additional day.A Rand Corp. study published in August surveyed parents, students and teachers and found that the four-day week had the most positive impact on family relationships and overall school satisfaction.Student attendance improved slightly, but the difference was not statistically meaningful, and younger students reported getting more sleep, but middle and high school students did not.According to the survey, four-day school districts were able to cut some costs by not operating on Fridays or Mondays, but the savings amounted to only a few percentage points in the annual budget.Another study, conducted by the Center for School and Student Progress, found that fighting and assaults dropped by .79 incidents per 100 students, or 31%, after schools moved to a four-day week. Some of it was mechanical — students spending less time in school — but the study concluded that it didn’t account for all of it.<h2>What parents say</h2>Jon Turner, associate professor of special education, leadership and professional studies at Missouri State University, has conducted research to assess the growing trend in Missouri.He traveled to 60 of 61 school districts that had a four-day week during the 2019-2020 school year, interviewing superintendents, principals, parents, teachers and students.Turner found that parental support for four-day school weeks ranged from 70% to 80%. He said serious pushback from parents would likely have resulted in fewer school districts adopting the four-day week.“If there is a negative reaction to the four-day week,” Turner said, “there’s a direct channel to school board members.”Emily Goyea-Furlong, head of the Parent-Teacher Organization in Harrisburg, said she likes using Saturdays and Sundays as true days off with her family. Instead of treating Monday as another weekend day, Goyea-Furlong said she uses the time to schedule appointments on her family’s to-do list.“We spend Mondays doing doctors’ appointments, vision appointments or those appointments you pull your kids out of school for on a regular five-day school week,” she said. “Then they don’t have to miss school during the week.”Another Harrisburg parent, Dana Byrd, has a flexible work schedule and can spend Mondays with her fifth grader. But she said she knows day care facilities in Harrisburg are crowded on Mondays, and some parents have to commute to Columbia for child care.“Day care gets to be a bit of a challenge for some families with younger kids,” Byrd said.In Independence, the school district began offering its own child care for $30 a day, but that still could be a stretch for some families.<h2>What teachers say</h2>School districts in Missouri have the freedom to structure their calendar in a variety of ways. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, districts in Missouri can be flexible, as long as first through 12th grades maintain 1,044 instructional hours during the school year.The Harrisburg School District operates on a Tuesday-through-Friday schedule from 7:54 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.“We did it back in 2011, 2012, when we were really struggling financially, like a lot of other schools were,” high school principal Kyle Fisher said. “We did it as a way to try and save money on transportation costs and hourly staff and utilities costs and things like that.”The four-day week has been popular with teachers in Harrisburg who say they can use Monday as a planning day to map out the rest of the week. Some schools also schedule professional development activities for teachers on select Mondays.Harrisburg teacher Jennie Simpson said the extra day gives her more time to develop hands-on, engaging lessons for students.“It gives you the feel of having a full weekend,” Simpson said. “I think it decreases teacher burnout because you feel like you have more time to be prepared.”<h2>What the numbers indicate</h2>According to Turner, making the switch is almost always about money. School districts may be able to save $50,000 or more on transportation, custodial work, cafeteria set-up and other expenses.“That ($50,000) may sound trivial,” Turner said. “But if you’re in a tiny little school district that only has nine or 10 teachers, saving $50,000 is one teacher’s salary.”Salaries, especially in smaller, rural districts, influence teacher retention. New teachers typically start their careers in smaller districts after college, Turner said, eventually leaving those positions for a better salary in larger cities.“They’re always looking for a job at Jefferson City or Columbia because the salaries are so much higher, and that happens all across the state,” Turner said. “You can travel 20, 30 miles outside Jefferson City and Columbia, and teachers with the same experience and same education can be making $15,000 or $20,000 less.”Dale Herl, superintendent of the Independence School District, said he has seen a significant increase in teacher applications since the four-day policy was announced this summer.“The number of our teacher applications increased by more than fourfold,” Herl said. “We are fully staffed with teachers here in the Independence School District, and it’s been a number of years since we’ve been able to say that.”In Harrisburg, Fisher said he has also noticed improvements in teacher recruitment and retention, particularly among high-quality teachers and staff.“The four-day school week was very attractive to a lot of teachers,” he said. “I think it allowed us to get a lot of high quality teachers for the district and keep a lot of high quality teachers in the district.”Turner said teacher retention, primarily driven by inequity in salaries, is a driver of shift to the four-day school week. Until that is solved, Turner believes the four-day week policy will continue to gain traction in Missouri.“This (four-day week) keeps rural schools in the game,” Turner said. “Until the state and decision-makers and legislature figure out ways that help rural school districts be competitive in the teaching job market, you’re going to continue to see schools transition to the four-day week.”This story originally appeared in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/more-school-districts-in-missouri-are-switching-to-a-four-day-week/article_5a56e6f0-6487-11ee-b09e-476c2c5b700f.html">the Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

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