Karla Eslinger, the new head of Missouri’s education department, expressed support for four-day school weeks as long as student needs are being met and overall performance is improving. Eslinger, who has a background as a teacher, superintendent, and state senator, plans to focus on educator recruitment and retention during her tenure.
Eslinger emphasized the importance of working together towards common goals in education rather than pointing fingers at what doesn’t work. She stressed the need for adequate funding for education in order to achieve excellence and retain quality educators.
While lawmakers have increased the minimum teacher pay, Eslinger believes more needs to be done to keep teachers in the classroom. She highlighted the importance of investing in children and the future of the state as an economic driver.
Although roughly 30% of Missouri school districts operate on a four-day school week, Eslinger supports it as long as student performance is maintained. The General Assembly passed an education package that incentivizes districts to maintain a five-day school week, with larger districts like Independence required to ask local voters if they want to move to a four-day week.
Eslinger plans to travel the state to meet with districts and community leaders in order to better understand their needs and concerns regarding education. As the new leader of Missouri’s education system, she aims to prioritize student success and teacher retention.
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